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February 24, 2023 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 24 February 2023

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NeverMindTheBollocks

Have you noticed how the term Poverty Bay has fallen out of MSM usage?
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February 24, 2023 8:00am
- David Garrett
  
  Nevermind: What do you expect when Christchurch – which was an uninhabited swamp before the first four ships arrived – is now routinely referred to as Otautahi?
  
  As with the other place names, it started with Otautahi/Christchurch, and now the “colonial” second part of the name is just omitted entirely. It is also happening with the name of the country, and is an illustration of what will happen if the dual name “Aotearoa/New Zealand” is ever officially adopted.
  
  Within 10 years the name of our proud land, and the name under which thousands of soldiers in foreign fields are buried, will be lost forever unless we stand up and fight.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:35am
  - RoboRob
    
    Waka Kotahi being the best / most recent example. No one in the media calls it any thing but Waka Kotahi.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:37am
    - Paulus
      
      The media do what they are paid to do !
      
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      February 24, 2023 1:08pm
    - Don Beckett
      
      I wonder what relationship the First Canoe had in forming NZ roads?
      
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      February 24, 2023 1:11pm
      - RoboRob
        
        Canoes would have been handy in certain parts of the country last week 🙂
        
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        February 24, 2023 1:17pm
      - Jack5
        
        David Garrett’s …, it started with Otautahi/Christchurch, and now the “colonial” second part of the name is just omitted…
        
        The Christchurch City Council is a leader in the Woke renaming of the city.
        
        You want, say, the council’s Bishopdale library. You find it under “O”. Its title is “Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Library and Community Centre”.
        
        The introduction on the web site for Christchurch City libraries reads:
        
        Kia ora and welcome to Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi.
        
        The city’s flash art gallery, which carries the dual name, Te Puna o Wai Whetu, on its web site carries a piece by NZ revisionist historian Vincent O’Malley. It notes that he is a “Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington” writer and historian, born and raised in “Ōtautahi Christchurch”.
        
        O’Malley links Christchurch to the colonial campaigns in the Land Wars of the North Island, and to the Parihaka campaign.
        
        O’Malley’s piece for the Christchurch Art Gallery:
        
        https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/bulletin/210/christchurch-and-the-new-zealand-wars
        
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        February 24, 2023 2:32pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Waka Coathanger
      
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      February 24, 2023 4:09pm
    - Loddenthinks
      
      It’s by far from the most recent – Waka Kotahi was an early example of the obeisance to maori wonderfulness that has become almost ubiquitous.
      
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      February 24, 2023 6:41pm
    - tavita
      
      Last time I looked, the legal name as given in the Act was New Zealand Transport Agency. That is how I continue to refer to it. As for place names, there was a time when the geographic places trust would come down with a ton of bricks on anyone not using the correct official name.
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:02pm
  - igm
    
    Mt Egmont is an excellent example.
    
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    February 24, 2023 6:07pm
- pdm
  
  Bollocks it is not on its own – here are some more:
  East Coast
  Thames Valley
  King Country
  Golden Bay
  Bush
  Southern Hawkes Bay
  
  off the top of my head.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:42am
- MCōs
  
  Not exactly the most endearing name in the first place.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:20am
  - Inandout
    
    MC, it is a name that describes what was encountered. Same with Cape Tribulation in North Queensland where Cook’s ship struck a reef and he added after naming the cape, “here begun all our troubles”.
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:29pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Yet adds on TV weee about to give money weekly to look after starving NZ kids Grrrrrr
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:30am
- Bobba Fret
  
  It’s like the opposite of “The Bay of Plenty”
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:26pm
  - Loddenthinks
    
    That is how both places came to be named. Cook got the bum’s rush from Gizzy when the locals “misunderstood” their intentions to trade for supplies, water and food, and sent a raiding party by ~~canoe~~ waka to attack them.
    
    Cook set sail around the East Cape, fended off another hostile raiding party in waka at Cape Runaway (he fired their cannon and they ran away), and made it to Tauranga where he was given a much warmer welcome and managed to get all the provisions he needed. He called that much more hospitable place Bay of Plenty, and so it remains to this day.
    
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    February 24, 2023 6:57pm
- I remember when
  
  Always Cook-ing up new names.
  
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  February 24, 2023 3:33pm
CJames

So the Minister of both Transport and Auckland, Mr Wood for brains, believes trams in Auckland is the highest priority for sorting out NZ’s future transportation requirements. “ the minister says, now more than ever, it is important to invest in climate-friendly infrastructure. “ I am certain the people on the East Coast with devastated roads and bridges will be very relieved to hear that. After all, what would the $29 billion do to our broken and neglected highways?
In one of those things that should come back to haunt him, he said “If there was such a thing as a spirit animal then mine is a donkey.” He may think donkeys are a symbol of determination but most associate them with stupidity, though perhaps undeservedly so. How would donkeys feel about being compared to Mr Wood?
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February 24, 2023 8:00am
- alex Masterley
  
  Thats an insult to donkeys.
  If Trams are the future he should put his money where his mouth is and move to somewhere near the trams proposed route.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:05am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    No no no no. You expect that idiot to live near a nosy tram?
    Heaven forbid he may be asked to use it.
    “Do you know who I am?”
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:32am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      noisy* but can be nosy if you like
      
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      February 24, 2023 4:11pm
  - kevn
    
    @Alex…. Better still, get wood for brains to explain his (stupid) Akld plan to Gizzy/HB residents. In person.
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:35am
    - pdm
      
      Wood he know where HB and Gizzy were?
      
      I doubt he would want to front anyone involved in the clean up – they would be very dirty.
      
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      February 24, 2023 8:47am
    - Muttonbird
      
      Hardly anyone lives there, ffs!
      
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      February 24, 2023 9:03am
- Paulus
  
  The Donkey does not wear Brylcreem !
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:09am
  - pdm
    
    Paulus – Bay Rum then?
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:44am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Bay rum is a nice smell to me, sorry.
      No idea where to buy it now.
      
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      February 24, 2023 8:57am
      - Local Miller
        
        You can get it on line here: https://localbarber.nz/product/bay-rum/
        
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        February 24, 2023 9:07am
      - pdm
        
        Steve – father in law was a tonsorial artist (aka Barber) and he used to:
        1. Apply Bay Rum by the handful
        2. Buy it in flagons but that was 50 years or so ago.
        
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        February 24, 2023 9:46am
- igm
  
  As once an owner of donkeys, I would definitely conclude they have more in the brain department than Wood, or in fact, the total Labour/Green line-up of unemployables.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:22am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Hee-haw!!
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:57am
- Nickc2
  
  IMO, his aim is to saddle a new Govt with a massive debt that will tie up Akld for years to come and maybe get his wife elected as Mayor.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:22am
  - Bob
    
    God forbid! she is another socialist ‘airhead’
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:14am
    - Paulus
      
      Wifey is an Auckland Councillor, not disposed to the new Mayor.
      
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      February 24, 2023 1:11pm
  - Paulus
    
    Brylcreem Boy is just waiting for little Boy to crap out at the election – he and his wife just biding their time – that’s politics !
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:10pm
- Maggie Pie
  
  There’s actually a guy at the tennis club they call ‘donkey’
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:30am
  - Nickc2
    
    Does he wear shorts? That’s the test.
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:33am
    - Don Beckett
      
      If you ask him why his mate calls him ‘Donkey’, his reply would be: “Ee aw – ee aw – Ee always calls me donkey.”
      
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      February 24, 2023 2:42pm
      - Don Beckett
        
        The delete function isn’t working – I didn’t notice Local Miller’s comment before I typed. Consider the comment deleted
        
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        February 24, 2023 2:47pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        Yeah I tried to delete a hasty comment I made yesterday after a few beers. Comment still went through. Is that on the bug list to be fixed?
        
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        February 24, 2023 7:42pm
  - Local Miller
    
    “I don’t know why, but hee-aw, hee-aw, he all ways calls me donkey”
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:10am
  - ClanMcleod
    
    A male streaker with a face mask on ran through the ladies locker room at the golf course recently.
    
    Three older ladies who had just finished their round looked in amazement.
    
    The first lady gasped, “not my husband!”
    
    Second lady was outraged, “certainly not my husband!”
    
    Third lady rolled her eyes and said “not even a club member…..”
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:42am
- Bobba Fret
  
  Donkey? More likely an Ass.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:32am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Idiots are best ignored. Don’t give him oxygen.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:33am
- lastmanstanding
  
  Why havent the Army Navy and Air Force been deployed in total to help with the damage. The Army have sappers and engineers who could be repairing or building infrastructure like bridges to reconnect communities. They have mobile canteens that could help feed displaced communities. They have lots of heavy duty machinery and equipment the list goes on.
  They are already being paid so the cost to the taxpayer is minimal. They could be housed in tents if necessary. FFS. This is a national emergency yet Chippy and his mates arent deploying the most obvious resources.
  If I was one those impacted I would be seriously pissed off and asking these questions. Chippy et al are incompetent morons. This proves it.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:48am
  - Rusty
    
    @lastmanstanding – the army could also help with preventing looting and gangs causing trouble.
    
    But nah that’s a police job…
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:02am
    - Inandout
      
      The army could be used if the soldiers were sworn as special constables who accompanied a police officer.
      
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      February 24, 2023 9:26am
  - Local Miller
    
    Army & Navy have:
    Field Kitchens
    Water Tankers
    Porta Loos
    Portable Showers
    Tents
    Manpower
    Emergency lighting/generators
    Supply lines – I see they have sent the Canterbury
    Etc.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:13am
  - cmm
    
    Our Naval vessels are not really set up for warfare. Their primary configuration is for natural disaster support of the Pacific Islands.
    
    We’ve seen a lot of movement of HMNZS Canterbury around Lyttleton, doing quick turn arounds loading up containers full of something or other and, presumably, taking them to Gizzy.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:58am
    - slightlyrighty
      
      Canterbury is a Logistic Support ship, and Manawanui is a diving support and survey vessel.
      
      Te Kaha and Te Mana are armed warships, Otago and Wellington are Armed Patrol Vessels, with Aotearoa as a Fleet Tanker and replenishment vessel, Ice Strengthened for Antarctic Operations.
      
      Canterbury can also support multiple Helicopters ans accommodate up to 250 troops, contains a surgical hospital and small recovery ward.
      
      This came in very handy during the Christchurch Quake as Lyttleton found itself with a ship with 200 extra personnel, which was able to provide comprehensive assistance as it was in port when the quake hit.
      
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      February 24, 2023 2:47pm
  - G152
    
    Army throw up Bailey Bridges in hours. So where are they?
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:12am
    - Ghost
      
      Read their page, be sure to search for bridges in their page so you can educate yourself
      
      https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/significant-projects-and-issues/cyclone-gabrielle/
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:15am
  - Ghost
    
    Military have been there helping out for quite a while, perhaps before ranting about them you should go and have a read
    
    https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/significant-projects-and-issues/cyclone-gabrielle/
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:16am
    - Handyman
      
      6000 military were sent to protect MIQ facilities. How many to the East Coast?
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:33am
      - Ghost
        
        You can’t really compare the situations, one is guarding hotels, the other is getting stuck in where requested and needed. let’s see some highlights of what the military have done
        
        – Over the last seven days, Air Force NH90 helicopters have moved more than 42.5 tonnes of essential supplies throughout Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti. They’ve flown more than 120 flying hours, transported more than 260 personnel (civilian and military), 17 dogs, 5 cats, and underslung more than 13 tonnes of equipment.
        
        – HMNZS Canterbury has been unloading stores in Napier, and is preparing to host members of the National Emergency Management Agency’s Incident Management Team and accommodate emergency responders who’ve been deployed to the region.
        
        – HMNZS Manawanui continues to provide support to East Coast communities, with crew delivering supplies and checking on the welfare of isolated residents and they will return to communities in the vicinity of Tolaga Bay tomorrow
        
        – Two NH90 helicopters have flown generators and electricians to Te Haroto and Tarawera, and essential supplies to Mohaka Marae. They continue to deliver critical supplies to isolated communities and today, transported a health clinic team to check on isolated residents. An Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft transported crucial supplies to Tairāwhiti communities including water, Starlink equipment, oxygen, sanitary items and formula.
        
        – Navy divers helped clear the water intake pipe at Gisborne’s water treatment facility and helped clear debris from the surrounding area.
        
        – HMNZS Canterbury is due to arrive in Napier this evening, carrying a range of items to support the response including five Bailey bridges, six utility vehicles, 20 generators, 50 gas bottles, and 120 emergency packs from Ngāi Tahu. On board are also specialist staff from other government agencies such as Environment Canterbury, St John’s, and Waka Kotahi.
        
        The military have been helping out since before this cyclone hit delivering supplies in the lead up to the cyclone. Yet we have people bitching they aren’t.
        
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        February 24, 2023 10:46am
      - Nickc2
        
        Te MSM NZ won’t report what they don’t want you to know about. It’s their MO.
        They are mostly (those that work for Te Herald and Te Stuff ) third-rate Marxist scribblers who want to re-create the world in an image of their beliefs as dictated by the WEF and UN.
        
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        February 24, 2023 10:55am
    - NZer In Exile
      
      I doubt anyone here is bagging the military at all Ghost. They have signed up to put their lives on the line.
      
      Bullshit detectors will be on high alert for govt spin though.
      
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      February 24, 2023 7:53pm
  - Bob
    
    The NZ Defence Forces, are no where near as well equipped as you have been lead to believe. Comrade Clarke saw to that. The Servicemen are very well trained, but not equipped!
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:16am
    - Jim
      
      Not as well as the past, with many who will certainly be mentally and physically challenged with living and working in austere conditions.
      
      New recruits now expect laundry and cleaning services all laid on…..today it’s all a soft soap focus on extreme health and safety and personal well-being.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:38am
      - Cassandra
        
        Not sure I’d agree with that. My recent experience via grandson is that current service men and women are high quality. As good as my day, probably better. Grandson is first class, and I am not biased – not all of my grandchildren are perfect.
        
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        February 24, 2023 11:09am
      - igm
        
        Don’t overlook te reo that is forefront in the services, along with inclusiveness and all the other UN preferred bullshit. Like police, most of the good ones have gone elsewhere, leaving either new entrants and those unwanted outside.
        
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        February 24, 2023 2:42pm
      - slightlyrighty
        
        During my time in the navy in the late 80’s, we had 2 chinese laundymen embarked that did all the ships crew laundry.
        
        It was a service we had to pay for but the charge was nominal. The captain had his laundry done at no charge…
        
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        February 24, 2023 2:49pm
  - bjools
    
    Missed your comment, reiterated below, with some links.
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:02pm
  - Loddenthinks
    
    Why? Because David Seymour has been calling for it for a week, that’s why. Can’t be seen to be given all their good ideas by the opposition, and all that.
    
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    February 24, 2023 6:59pm
- Skippytony
  
  Yes, Trams are back on the agenda for Christchurch as well. ***sigh***
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:37am
  - cmm
    
    A few old trams are fine for the historic city look for tourists etc, but they are bloody hopeless as modern transport.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:58am
    - Taieri
      
      they are bloody hopeless as modern transport
      —————–
      
      They are actually quite good. In the European cities where many people are living in apartment blocks, trams are very popular and very useful in providing mass transit. The urban layout of NZ cities is completely different and even proposed “densification” is not going to change it. Unfortunately, the people pushing these ideas do not understand this difference.
      
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      February 24, 2023 2:24pm
  - RoboRob
    
    And in the dumbest way possible. The proposed routes will ‘route’ already congested roads whilst not catering to enough people to cover running costs.
    
    Start small, build routes between St Albans / merivale to town and then on to Canterbury university. I.e short distances where lots of renting students might want to use the service. Get it running and later expand. Oh and dont run it down main roads.
    
    Oh and perhaps an orbitor like bus route might be massively cheaper and more flexible.
    
    NZ, and Christchurch in this case, doesn’t have the population or density to support light rail systems. Any rail system will need massive on going subidies. We would be better widening roads and adding bus lanes.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:45am
  - The Housekeeper
    
    At $30 for a day pass I doubt the locals funding it will ever use it.
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:45pm
- trout
  
  Minister Wood was able to reply to a question at QT as to when work would commence on Light rail in Auckland. ‘Tomorrow’, he said (smugly). Dollars to doughnuts that when he received notice of the question he got on the line to the Auckland office and demanded work start. A drilling rig was sent out next day to find somewhere to bore a test hole. An exercise in futility of course but politics at its finest.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:10am
  - Bob
    
    Would require an OIA report to prove this, but probably very close to the TRUTH.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:18am
  - alex Masterley
    
    Just around the bloody corner is where the thing is. Mind you with all the rain a Gribblehurst it might have disappeared below the ground now.
    
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    February 24, 2023 6:53pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  That light rail to the airport won’t even go to the airport, it’s going to stop at Mangere and you will have to get on a bus to get to the airport anyway. The A bus is a great way of getting yo the airport, infact when travelling abroad 20 years ago I had a 7 hour wait, I got on the bus went into town, had lunch, went to the Occidental had some Belgium beers in Vulcan lane, the A bus stopped at the corner every 15 minutes so went back to the airport to the bar, nothing wrong with that bus.
  
  If you get a rental car from the airport, when you leave you will drive the rent back to the airport on departure, how many people just won’t be bothered with the tram?
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:36am
- NZer In Exile
  
  What if I told you that Co2 levels aren’t in fact the universal earth-temperature control knob.
  
  Imagine that psychologically terrorising children and wasting trillions every year trying to “move the dial” on global temps was a completely pointless exercise.
  
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  February 24, 2023 2:44pm
The Redbaiter

I’m no fan of David Seymour. As a conservative, Seymour’s so called “libertarian” doctrine really rubs the wrong way. An example– he says he doesn’t care about the push to change NZ’s name to Aotearoa because he believes in “free speech”.

The forced and unwanted renaming of our country by an unrepresentative minority of media and academia is far from a free speech matter, but Mr Seymour is apparently blinded to the real issue by his Ayn Rand dogma.

However a Prime Minister afflicted by the Russian centric ideology of Rand is a far better option than someone driven by the ideology of the Green Left, namely Chris Luxon and Nicola Willis. After their soviet style persecution of Maureen Pugh, for speaking truth, I’m convinced these two should never ever be PM or Deputy PM.

Sid Holland’s National Party has been taken over by the Blue Greens, who began their infiltration back in the late 90s and today fully control the party.

It has been an infiltration deliberately designed to change the purpose of party and to deprive those who support its founding principles of a choice in the coming election.

The way to regain at least part of that choice is to shift your vote to ACT, and make ACT the party with the highest percentage of votes. Thereby making Seymour PM.

Its not the optimum outcome, but its far better than putting the truly obnoxious Green Left duo of Luxon/Willis in charge.
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February 24, 2023 8:00am
- Bill Felt
  
  The problem with your plan is that Seymour is a one man band. Most people could not even name another ACT MP. I am sure there are good people in the ACT team but you will end up in the situation where you have Ministers that have no experience running the top Ministries. And we can all see at the moment the results of that! ACT are a good party and have some good policies but until David recruits some top class people as MP’s (which would of course threaten his leadership) a vote for National is the best way to have competent people rebuilding the Ministries. ACT is a good party at the 10-15% level.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:19am
  - Ghost
    
    Act will never be anything but a minor party. It’s just a few people are disconnected from reality and dream of something bigger, strangely it seems some of those people do not even live in New Zealand.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:27am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Oh do they are using Labour bots ?
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:50am
    - Matt Long
      
      Never is a long time, major parties in New Zealand have lost their way and disappeared before and been overtaken by parties with vision and drive.
      
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      February 24, 2023 1:04pm
  - Chuck Bird
    
    Seymour was a one man band. His climate change spokesperson, Simon Court is certainly more qualified than James Shaw, Todd Muller or Chris Luxon.
    
    https://www.act.org.nz/people/simon-court
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:34am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Do Simon Court great, but the rest bad? Snd you wonder why I refuse to give my party vote to Act that went there when Seymour was hanging on by the skin of his teeth
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:51am
      - Matt Long
        
        What I have seen of Mark Cameron, ACT’s Agriculture Spokesman he understands the issues Farmers are facing and would make our best Ag Minister this century.
        Todd let’s kill some cows to make the weather better Muller is an embarrassment.
        
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        February 24, 2023 1:22pm
  - plc
    
    And we currently have Ministers that are experienced in the top Ministries?
    
    Sorry, not seeing it.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:45am
  - The Redbaiter
    
    Bill Felt- “a vote for National is the best way to have competent people rebuilding the Ministries”
    
    Sorry Bill, but I have no reason to think that National ministers will be any more proficient than Labour. Sure, Mr Luxon claims (over and over) to be a better manager, but this is still just a claim. We don’t really know.
    
    We do know what his ministers have recently said about the man caused climate change scam. (source TV One News) Maybe you’re OK with this, but it doesn’t give me any confidence. Group think is a lefty characteristic.
    
    Erica Stanford- “of course we are seeing the effects of climate change because of man’s activities, and now we have to focus on what the solutions are”
    
    Mark Mitchell- “Without a doubt, we can see that the weather we’ve been having to deal with in the last couple of weeks means that the climate is changing”
    
    Gerry Brownlee- “Man’s activities in the world are contributing to a speeding of change in the climate, without a doubt”
    
    Simon Watts- Asked if he believed in man-made climate change. Simon Watts said “I don’t know where you’ve been in the last three weeks”.
    
    Chris Bishop- “Pretty clear that man has definitely had an impact on the climate. There’s no doubt about that.
    
    Frankly I’m disgusted by this cave in to what is clearly a socialist scam to re-distribute global wealth. If these people do not have the perspicacity to see something so clear, it doesn’t say much for their ability to manage their respective ministries. IMHO.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:51am
    - RoboRob
      
      I am 100% sure that the National MPs (and probably ACT MPs) will be MUCH more competent than Labour. Yes there might be some policy issues but 6 years ago I was telling anyone who would listen that the Labour guys were incompetent but it seems it takes people a while to realise it.
      
      It’s not just that they are from the left, Helens Labour were capable too. For whatever reason the Labour party is currently full of second rate academics and union hacks that are less capable then their predecessors. It was obvious before they were elected. That isn’t the case with National or Act.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:54am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Then bugger off snd vote for Labour, because as I have told you before that’s the alternative
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:52am
      - Widogast Corwin
        
        “Telling” folk on this blog (AKA shouting at them) is not very effective. I find you totally unpersuasive. Consistently.
        
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        February 24, 2023 4:58pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      How about you worry about your own party, and dont bother spouting your paid for propaganda from your party, some of us differ from your opinion, i for one am sick of hearing your bullshit that Act all good, Nats all bad, or are you paid by Labour
      
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      February 24, 2023 6:53pm
    - NZer In Exile
      
      A couple of very carefully worded responses there suggesting not all are on board with the “climate emergency” cult.
      
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      February 24, 2023 7:56pm
  - Tommo
    
    Any firearms license holder can name at least one other 😉
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:15am
  - leoj
    
    Most can’t name Labour or National MPs either.
    
    Seymour is far from perfect. He also hid behind Jacinda’s skirt regarding the mandates but he is making Luxon look like a the pretender he is.
    
    Get wise folks. Vote ACT to keep National from merely sleepwalking into power with a pale blue wash. National has a history of maintaining Labour’s leftist policies.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:23am
    - RoboRob
      
      Lol, 6 years ago people used that same argument to push for Winston First.
      
      Not that I would equate Seymour with Act, just a funny parallel.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:55am
  - Widogast Corwin
    
    “I am sure there are good people in the ACT team but you will end up in the situation where you have Ministers that have no experience running the top Ministries.”
    
    Have you looked at the bios of the ACT MPs. I am confident that Brooke Van Veldon will be a star Minister.
    
    Take a look at Simon Court
    
    https://www.act.org.nz/people/simon-court
    
    I am not suggesting that every ACT MP will be a star. They do not need to be. They just need (about) four plus Seymour. And Seymour will already know who those people are.
    
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    February 24, 2023 4:56pm
  - Loddenthinks
    
    If you’ve been paying attention you’ll have heard of Brook van Velden who was named best back-bench MP by the media at the ned of the year.
    
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    February 24, 2023 7:00pm
  - tavita
    
    ACT does have a good team and David is actively promoting them. It’s our MSM that plays presidential politics.and ignores everyone else.
    
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    February 25, 2023 3:38pm
- nathie
  
  Red – interesting ideas worthy of debate.
  
  What do you say to the commentators here saying yesterday that stronger ACT support (compared to National) will see the “middle/swing voter” (that National has been trying to catch) become frightened and keep voting that “nice” Mr Hipkin’s Labour party?
  
  (Asking as I hadn’t thought about that viewpoint until I read it).
  
  Seems to me one needs to consider such tactics you are advocating for could lead to a Labour/Green/Maori Party Govt. Commies for sure.
  
  Is there another tactic that might lessen that potential outcome?
  
  Or how about we all advocate for both ACT and National Govt (take one’s pick as to who to support) without denigrating either side? And to give the middle/swing voter that a vote for change will see a stable National/ACT coalition?
  
  That can make meaningful change for the better in all areas of society (economy, infrastructure health, education, legal, law and order, disadvantaged, foreign relations etc)?
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:34am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    ACT voters warning against Nats is pathetic, all it does is create people who are unsure thinking shit better stay with Labour Grrrrrr, it will only take a few votes to hand it to the losers
    
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    February 24, 2023 12:15pm
    - Don Beckett
      
      Any swing voter knows that National & ACT work together, so there is no way an increase in the ACT vote will give them a chilling effect.
      
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      February 24, 2023 3:01pm
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        I never bloody said that, i said these idiots rubbishing Nats who dont vote for them will put thoughts in peoples mind that have not made their minds up, i never mentioned swing voters, i said undecided
        
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        February 24, 2023 6:57pm
- Skippytony
  
  Sorry, disagree. The solution is to join the National Party and fix it from inside. Thats clearly what the Marxists have done with Labour. Four or five thousand (four or five hundred in the right places?) active conservatives could instantly transform the Nats.
  
  ACT is never going to be more than a fringe thing.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:41am
  - The Redbaiter
    
    Skippytony- “The solution is to join the National Party and fix it from inside”
    
    Well sure it is, if you’ve got fifty years to spare, because that is how long it will take. The Green Marxists currently in control fought hard and long to achieve their objective. They have stacked all sectors of the party with like thinkers and they’re not going to give power up easily.
    
    The thing that convinced me National must take second place to ACT was what happened to Maureen Pugh. My disappointment was exacerbated when I read of the writings that Maureen was instructed to read, and its sources and authors. Here are just two of them-
    
    Sir Jonathon Porritt- (Luxon said he was his very good friend) is a British environmentalist and writer known for his advocacy of the Green Party of England and Wales. Porritt served as chair of The Party from 1979 to 1980, and from 1982 to 1984.
    
    Sir Robert Fenwick- was appointed leader of the Progressive Green Party a splinter group of the larger Green Party in 1996. In 1998, he was a founding member of the BlueGreens, an environmental policy group within the New Zealand National party.
    
    Maureen in order to remain a Nat MP was required to agree with these people? No thanks, its not the National Party anymore, and if your voting for it because you think it is, I think you’ll be in for a big shock post election.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:16am
    - leoj
      
      Yup. National are a lost cause.
      The Luxon – Pugh fiasco tells us everything we need to know about National. They have been infiltrated by the left. Luxon is no conservative. He has sold his soul to the Greens and the woke.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:28am
      - Widogast Corwin
        
        Exactly – all we will get is another Left government. Doing it “more efficiently” than Labour.
        
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        February 24, 2023 4:59pm
    - NZer In Exile
      
      David Seymour on The Platform recently also mentioned the possibility of Nats/ACT having a majority but National doing side deals regarding the global climate cult with Te Greens (as Key did with the Maori Party on revisionist inventions regarding The Treaty).
      
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      February 24, 2023 8:03pm
  - Colville
    
    Skippy.
    The problem (I have) with your idea of “fixing up National from the inside” is you will make it unelectable.
    The squishy wishy washy centerist voters are the ones who win elections and if you make National all Thatcherist then you are not going to get their votes.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:20am
    - The Redbaiter
      
      Colville- “The squishy wishy washy centerist voters are the ones who win elections and if you make National all Thatcherist then you are not going to get their votes.”
      
      This is the thinking that has taken NZ deep into the leftist abyss. All it does is enable the left.
      
      Margaret Thatcher (whom you reference) was the longest serving PM of the 20th century and won three elections.
      
      Ron Desantis won Florida with a huge majority. Likewise Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
      
      They’re all conviction politicians. Your “wishy washy” theory is the style of surrender monkey losers that have thus far got us so deep into the socialist mire we now have no real choice in what was once a thriving pluralist democracy.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:36am
      - NZer In Exile
        
        Add Ronald Reagan to your list TRB. He was resolute on his capitalist/democracy based principles (albeit with patience and humour).
        
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        February 24, 2023 8:06pm
  - Chuck Bird
    
    “The solution is to join the National Party and fix it from inside.”
    
    I certainly tried. Luxon will not listen to the peasants.
    
    I was not happy with Seymour’s liberal policies on euthanasia and abortion.
    
    I would have stuck with National if they had not decided to shaft our hard-working farmers.
    
    Hi Chuck
    
    Personally, I do think the world is in a climate emergency. The challenge as it always has been is to get global action as opposed to global speeches and talk fests.
    
    I am in strong agreement with Scott that we have to get NZ action in a sensible place – function of ETS price, available technology, and sensible conversations with larger emitting sectors to build a plan – cutting cows and stopping NZ steel etc.
    
    Kind regards
    Todd
    
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    February 24, 2023 11:00am
    - Cassandra
      
      We’re not voting for Seymour, we’re voting for ACT. I favour euthanasia and accept the reality of abortion. Neither has anything to do with the future of this country but ACT policies, accepted by all of their MPs and candidates, will make a significant improvement. Voting ACT is the only sensible option. And finally, since I have known David since he became a candidate many years ago, I’d certainly vote for him if I could. Two ticks ACT.
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:22am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    But they know they have to chase the centre, what would the point be to go back to the right and take all Acts support, because that is what would happen
    
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    February 24, 2023 12:16pm
- Chuck Bird
  
  I totally agree. I am not happy with his liberal positions on euthanasia and abortion but they are decided by a conscious vote.
  
  National under Luxon is happy the put our farmers out of business to save planet earth as Luxon calls our world. That is why I support Act.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:41am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Luxon wants yo hand the emissions rates back to farmers like they were supposed to, farmers came up with a plan so where happy for that to happen, saying Nats wants to shaft farmers, because he is talking about the same thing farmers wanted, rubbishing Nats like this is utterly pathetic
    
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    February 24, 2023 12:21pm
    - Chuck Bird
      
      Did you not see what Muller emailed me?
      
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      February 24, 2023 3:10pm
    - Widogast Corwin
      
      “wants yo hand the emissions rates back to farmers like they were supposed to”
      
      FFS what does that even mean?
      
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      February 24, 2023 5:19pm
    - Widogast Corwin
      
      “because he is talking about the same thing farmers wanted”
      
      Which is what?
      
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      February 24, 2023 5:20pm
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        The farmers had a deal with the government about what to pay for emissions, also all there money was to go into getting scienced based ways of dropping emissions
        
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        February 24, 2023 7:05pm
    - GJM
      
      As a farmer… we had no say and no choice. Nothing at all was not an option, neither was taking into account our grass and trees, or that our competition isn’t crippled by this, or the Paris agreement excludes food production.
      National, like Labour but blue.
      
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      February 24, 2023 9:02pm
- amospicton
  
  “Russian centric ideology of Rand”. Wow she might have been born in Russia but her philosophy is about as diametrically opposed to either Soviet Russia or Putin Russia as it is possible to be.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:55am
  - The Redbaiter
    
    asmospicton- “Russian centric ideology of Rand”. Wow she might have been born in Russia”
    
    Yes, I thought I might have to explain that perspective . The point I was trying to make is that Alissa Zinovievna Rosenbaum’s writings were all based on her Russian experiences. She had no knowledge of the vast trove of pro-freedom literature that already existed in English/European history.
    
    Libertarianism only became a thing in the 1950s. Conservative style liberty had been written about and revered in England France and America (for example) centuries before. Rand shows no sign of understanding this. Many of her disciples suffer from the same affliction.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:45am
    - Cassandra
      
      Seymour is not a disciple. He is actually not an extremist, just a sensible, thinking man whom we are lucky to have as an MP.
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:24am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      That’s fine, Rubbish the Nats and enjoy ya Marxist Labour green Māori regime, don’t forget, Hipkins will not be able to silence greens and MP ministers this time
      
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      February 24, 2023 12:24pm
      - Widogast Corwin
        
        “Rubbish the Nats”
        
        You keep saying that. You think that all commenters on this blog should swear unquestioning allegiance to the National Party?
        
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        February 24, 2023 5:21pm
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        Widogast Corwin
        I never said ALL posters should pledge their elegances to anyone, but i will be damned if i will let a few try and suggest the same of ACT, understand?
        
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        February 24, 2023 7:08pm
- thirteenstars
  
  How did National go as the standard bearers of conservative values in NZ? I’ll tell you how they went: shithouse. They are now a centre-left party occupying territory far further left than the Fourth Labour government ever did. And it was members of that Labour government that went on to form ACT. My God, you couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried.
  
  ACT is ideologically where National was in the early 90s when Ruth Richardson was in the driver’s seat. Yet somehow they’ve got a ““libertarian” doctrine really rubs the wrong way” problem? Well, it seems not to rub too many the wrong way since on current figures National wouldn’t have a chance of getting anywhere near the Treasury benches without ACT making up a 25% share of any coalition.
  
  Conservatism is dead, and it’s been dead for a long time, and recently it’s begun to stink up the place pretty bad.
  
  Pray, what are specific tenets of Rand’s philosophy that exist in ACT’s policies? Policies that were largely National policy until that party threw its lot in with Third Wayers, Teals and man-made killer cyclone alarmists.
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:25pm
  - The Redbaiter
    
    thirteenstars- “Conservatism is dead”
    
    Tell that to Ron Desantis, or the most highly rated politician in Europe, Giorgia Meloni.
    
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    February 24, 2023 4:43pm
    - thirteenstars
      
      You’re dropping context: my comments relate to the National Party, as I said, as “standard bearers of conservative values”, and clearly so.
      
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      February 24, 2023 5:01pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Easy, MMP
    
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    February 24, 2023 7:08pm
- NZer In Exile
  
  Seymour has stated he follows Ayn Rand’s world view?
  
  By the way, she is hated by the far left with deranged fervour like Trump is. That’s because both are feared as an existential threat to far left agendas.
  
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  February 24, 2023 2:50pm
  - thirteenstars
    
    Indeed. As an American friend said of Trump: he’s hated by all the right people.
    
    Same would apply to Rand.
    
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    February 24, 2023 3:00pm
  - The Redbaiter
    
    NZer in Exile- “Seymour has stated he follows Ayn Rand’s world view?”
    
    Mr Seymour frequently says he is a Libertarian. Last I heard him say this was only a day or two ago.
    
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    February 24, 2023 4:40pm
    - thirteenstars
      
      And what does Seymour saying he’s a libertarian have to do with Rand? You’ve uttered a non-sequitur.
      
      Here’s Rand in her own words about her attitudes to libertarianism:
      
      http://aynrandlexicon.com/ayn-rand-ideas/ayn-rand-q-on-a-on-libertarianism.html
      
      Perhaps you could quote where Rand offers support for libertarianism.
      
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      February 24, 2023 5:07pm
Simon

The much worst govt is yet to come. It will be the one after the shit house National party govt is voted out 3 or 6 yrs from now.
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February 24, 2023 8:04am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Nope, rubbishing Nats will see another term with green and Māori party cabinet ministers
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:25pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    Shut up and support the woke nats?
    
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    February 24, 2023 2:53pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      No, please your self and vote for the alternative, i am not rubbishing your vote for Act, but you should do likewise to us people that want to
      
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      February 24, 2023 7:10pm
Opie

Oops

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/02/cyclone-gabrielle-chris-hipkins-climbs-down-from-criticised-crime-claims-as-roadworker-says-politicians-are-covering-backside.html

This guy hipkins is slipperier than a butchers prick.

How come if luxon changes his mind its a flip flop ( and everyone loses their mind), but when hipkins dismisses residents real fears and then they get proven, he winds it back and then lies about it, saying he never said the things he’s on record as saying.

The media called him out on it but apparently he’s just climbing down from his claims.

He’s as bad as she was, only difference is his lies come out with correct pronounciation.
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February 24, 2023 8:05am
- ClanMcleod
  
  It’s par for the course these days. Labour lies and the media facilitates it. That’s your new normal.
  
  Hipkins was covid minister when very important information re the danger of vaccination for young people was deliberately withheld. It was revealed in this post.
  
  https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/thomas-cranmer-covid-and-our-kiwi-kids-part-1
  
  This is malfeasance, it is the opposite of “informed consent”. But as with the blatant lie by Michael Baker, when he stated on live radio that he had NEVER said masks don’t work when there is irrefutable evidence that he did, these liars are not held to account.
  
  NZ has become everything warned about in 1984.
  Black is white, up is down, 2+2=5. The narrative control is beyond belief.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:54am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  What pisses me off Luxon has not flip flopped on anything, all that happened is the 39 cent tax bracket has moved from some time in the first term, too sometimes in the second term. It vulgerness for the rotten left to suggest it
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:27pm
dave_c_

I’m flabbergasted !

Why in hell do we allow pollies to travel to disaster areas ? For what purpose ?

To me, it is nothing more than for photo ops, and to give the perception that they care. and are in control of all things (even though we know they are NOT)

What’s stopping Hipkins et al, from viewing the television footage of carnage. Much more comprehensive than flying over an area and meeting with a couple of locals in distress, just for their photo op.

Make them listen to the ‘experts’ who provide considered opinion, and recommend solutions appropriate to each issue.

Scumbags, the lot of them.
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February 24, 2023 8:06am
- mawm
  
  Trump has just flown to East Palestine, Ohio with some palpable results. A small community who quite correctly felt abandoned by their politicians and Federal agencies until Trump arrived with personally funded assistance and reassurance that people care about them. View any interviews (you won’t find them on the MSM) of the people affected by the devastating toxic disaster and you can see it on their faces and hear it in their voices. Certainly a contrast to the Marie Antoinette of American politics, Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his sneaking in early in the morning the following day so as to avoid the angry residents.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:21am
  - virtualmark
    
    ?
    
    Trump’s administration is rightfully taking heat for reversing earlier railway safety regulations … so I’m not sure he’s a hero to the East Palestine residents.
    
    Buttigieg had a meeting with the local residents, and did a long stand-up with the media.
    
    FWIW … Buttigieg is the best communicator I’ve ever seen in politics. Clear, concise, never loses his cool, and always on point. I’m not sure America is in any way ready to elect a gay man as President, but in terms of political talent he is way ahead of all the other names, including Biden, Trump and DeSantis.
    
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    February 24, 2023 3:21pm
    - Ghost
      
      Bullshit
      
      Let’s ask the National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy
      
      Some are saying the ECP (electronically controlled pneumatic) brake rule, if implemented, would’ve prevented this derailment. FALSE – here’s why…
      
      The ECP braking rule would’ve applied ONLY to HIGH HAZARD FLAMMABLE TRAINS. The train that derailed in East Palestine was a MIXED FREIGHT TRAIN containing only 3 placarded Class 3 flammable liquids cars.
      
      This means even if the rule had gone into effect, this train wouldn’t have had ECP brakes.
      
      https://twitter.com/JenniferHomendy/status/1626379352215547906
      
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      February 24, 2023 4:28pm
    - virtualmark
      
      So here’s the dilemma.
      
      Option A: This wasn’t a serious accident, no one died, the fires were largely controlled burn-offs requested by the Governor of Ohio (a Republican), the same Governor didn’t see the need for Federal assistance, and those on the right are arguing this train wasn’t so dangerous that it merited safer braking systems.
      
      Option B: This is such a massive disaster that Biden is a traitor for going to Ukraine (a war zone) instead of East Palestine, and Buttigieg is … well I’m not sure what the complaint about Buttigieg is but clearly he’s seriously derelict at something.
      
      So Ghost … which is it? A or B?
      
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      February 24, 2023 4:39pm
      - Ghost
        
        You can go listen to the people living in the area and answer that for yourself, trouble breathing, chemical burns.
        
        Here I’ll help you out with one quote.
        
        Kurt Rhoads, an environmental engineer and associate professor for Care Western Reserve University, held a conversation about the chemicals and potential harm.
        
        When asked if Rhodes could put this on a scale of one to 10 in seriousness, “I mean certainly if I lived near by this would be close to a 10 for me and my family. If I lived in that community I would be at a 10 getting out of there protecting my family.”
        
        According to the environmental engineer, the major impact will be felt for years to come as the chemical gets into the ground water and dissipates to near by wells used for drinking water.
        
        “If I try to make a scale of things you would not want to have in a derailed, toppled over rail car that’s leaking and burning this is also near the top of that list. I can think of some worse things but I would put it at a seven or an eight,” Rhodes said.
        
        https://www.cleveland19.com/2023/02/06/explainer-what-chemical-is-board-derailed-ohio-train-before-they-burn-it-off-controlled-release/
        
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        February 24, 2023 4:49pm
      - virtualmark
        
        I agree. I think it’s a small-d disaster.
        
        Which means that I think it makes the case for tougher rail safety regulations. And I’m prepared to criticise De Wine’s decision to set the vinyl chloride on fire. And I think Norfolk Southern is going to have to pay a huge amount of damages and compensation.
        
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        February 24, 2023 6:04pm
      - Ghost
        
        This is an interesting article, it seems incredible that the alarms aren’t set at a lower temperature
        
        https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/23/us/ohio-train-derailment-east-palestine-thursday/index.html
        
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        February 24, 2023 6:19pm
- Bob
  
  The photo Op is the all important part of the visit.
  Expect to see various displays of Labour MP’s visiting these areas as part of the local area Labour campaigning. SEE how we were here in your hour of need; forget that we didn’t actually DO ANYTHING at the time!
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:49am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Yet Luxon has been on the ground in Auckland, Northland and HB helping people personally, and asking questions, but on here he is the asshole
    
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    February 24, 2023 12:30pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Why the hell was Ardern allowed to fly to HB cut a pumpkin upside down at marae, stay the weekend on the tax payer, yet she is a no show in parliament, she should be forced out if she is not going to do her bloody Job
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:29pm
Chuck Bird

Hooton has got things right. Act gets it. National doesn’t get it.

Matthew Hooton: It’s too late to avoid climate change – now we have to adapt

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/matthew-hooton-its-too-late-to-avoid-climate-change-now-we-have-to-adapt/LMBGHC5XUZEWBP4T2OM6UE4DI4/
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February 24, 2023 8:07am
- Cinematic
  
  Hooton is missing the mark slightly. NZ is a young country. It sits atop the ring of fire and is frequently savaged by storms. Climate change is moot.
  
  Our politicians need to get back to a settler mentality. It’s crystal clear we haven’t yet made our communities safe. We have no money or time to focus on anything beyond the basics.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:14am
  - Colville
    
    I believe the position of ACT (which I support) is to acknowledge climate change and do the minimum to retain the support the of our trading partners.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:23am
    - Taieri
      
      to acknowledge climate change and do the minimum to retain the support the of our trading partners
      ———————
      
      Our main trading partner doesn’t seem to be overly concerned with climate change. But then again, except of the short period from 1950’s to 1980’s our main trading partner has been extremely pragmatic. For 5000 years of its recorded history…
      
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      February 24, 2023 2:31pm
      - thirteenstars
        
        Indeed. China is our largest trading partner by some margin and they barely pay even lip service to emissions reduction.
        
        So Seymour is being ultra-sharp here. ACT’s policy is indeed to match our trading partners emissions standards and since China isn’t at all interested, well, they are making his point for him.
        
        What I don’t like in ACT’s policy is their retention of an ETS, albeit with large reductions in related subsidies and regulations. But I suspect the ETS could also be pegged to what trading partners are doing.
        
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        February 24, 2023 3:40pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    Cinematic: “We have no money or time to focus on anything beyond the basics.”
    
    Always has been the root of most of NZ’s issues. The economy is too small to do what needs to be done.
    
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    February 24, 2023 2:58pm
- Tom Hunter
  
  When even Chris Trotter gets it you have to wonder about the mentality of Luxon and company.
  
  Admittedly they’re only lying about taking action on reducing GHG emissions to the same extent as Labour. None of them are quite True Believers enough to crush fossil fuel use – as the Greens and other fanatics regularly point out, and as the words “Climate Crisis” and “Climate Emergency” (which Tood Muller used in his response to you_ would demand.
  
  Still, it’s not great to be relying on cynicism,
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:16am
  - Chuck Bird
    
    Thanks for the link. I agree with a lot of what Trotter says but not that anthropogenic warming causes extreme weather events.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:06am
  - Stellaboxer
    
    I would like to point out something that I’m sure many of you are aware of. It doesn’t matter what NZ does in relation to climate change. We could in fact double or quadruple our emissions and still make absolutely no difference to climate change whatsoever. So why is there a debate about what is more important reduction or resilience? One makes no difference and just impoverishes the nation whilst the other protects us from the consequences of emissions we have absolutely no control over. It’s becoming harder to not conclude that our feeble politicians are more interested in joining in with the prevailing trends indulged in by their counterparts overseas than they are providing real world results for NZ. God forbid they weren’t seen as punching above their weight in unique New Zealand conditions and showing the world that even though we are a back water in a back water we are more progressive and committed than the most progressive and committed anywhere else on the planet. This obsession with showing off to a world that’s taking no notice will be the death of us. We are not a beacon to the world we are not even a candle so why can’t we get on and build a safe and secure heaven for ourselves and our grandchildren? Now wouldn’t that truly make us the envy of the world?
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:11am
    - rouppe
      
      I’ve been saying that for some time now.
      
      Emissions are not New Zealand’s biggest environmental problem.
      
      This is obvious when you think that even if you eliminated every living thing from the land, there would be no measurable impact on global emissions.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:01am
      - thirteenstars
        
        Said exactly that to a Teal the other day after Luxon became a man-made killer cyclone alarmist.
        
        Sandblast NZ back to a rocky wasteland and you won’t make one jot of difference to the doomsday equation.
        
        Think globally, act locally has always been their mantra. In NZ’s case it’s think nothing, act stupidly.
        
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        February 24, 2023 12:52pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        Lefty climate cult members think you are thick when you say “but our emissions are so small on a global scale”.
        
        What they don’t realise is if all the relatively small players like NZ did “join together” and STOPPED emitting NOW, it would make bugger all difference to anything. They’d still all be completely swamped but the USA, Russia, China AND the developing world. And that is going to be the case FOR DECADES.
        
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        February 24, 2023 8:15pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        Thirteenstars in Aus a TEAL is a fake “independent” candidate. Basically pretending to be centrist “independents” but in reality completely in lockstep with the far left. They vote for far left legislation in the parliament.
        
        They are in the main you go girl females to pull the professional female swinging vote away from the main conservative parties.
        
        They are a coordinated group, funded by a climate activism group, funded by a billionaire who is a chardonnay socialist on the side.
        
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        February 24, 2023 8:22pm
    - mawm
      
      Stella – well said! I couldn’t give a stuff about our UN or WHO or WEF credentials but I care about us, our communities and those that need assistance.
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:27am
- Scott
  
  Chuck, I’m what is known as a climate change denier. Apparently they want to link that with holocaust denier to make me a really bad person whose views are unacceptable in polite society.
  
  Here’s the question. If we killed every methane emitting farm animal, locked down NZ again so there are no cars on the road and shut down every factory and power station would that change the weather?
  
  Do we really believe what we do will change the weather? That cyclones have anything to do with the carbon emissions of the country? Surely not?
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:19am
  - Chris Nisbet
    
    The answer is no. Politicians know that as well, which makes a thinking person suspect that all this nonsense has nothing to do with ‘fixing’ the climate.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:06am
  - Chuck Bird
    
    Scott, I believe that anthropogenic emissions cause some global warming and sea level rise. However, there is no evidence that this warming causes extreme weather events. I base my views on Dr Koonin, author of unsettled and Dr Judith Curry.
    
    If the above named experts and others are correct that extreme weather events have not increased but the sea level is rising we obviously have to adapt to sea level rise.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:15am
    - ClanMcleod
      
      Chuck – the main point to take from your assertion is simple. The “Science” isn’t settled, but the insane ideologues who push this narrative are as hysterical as they are irrational.
      It was the same with the covid narrative. There were obvious flaws in it and questions that were never answered, because they weren’t allowed to be asked.
      
      When the levels of hysteria get this shrill it isn’t “Science”, it’s dogma, it is a cult.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:28am
    - Local Miller
      
      Chuck, Have you actually read the latest IPCC report? They clearly state that there is no statistical evidence that the climate is changing.
      It staggers me that people like Scott and I have been pointing the blog to this “official” document and no one has gone to check the information.
      Everyone just believes things like the climate.govt website. Like this is an unbiased source?
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:13am
      - Chuck Bird
        
        No I have not. However, I am not a scientist, are you?
        
        I trust Dr Steven Koonin. Have you read his book?
        
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        February 24, 2023 11:27am
      - Local Miller
        
        @Chuck, You don’t need to be a scientist to read the IPCC report, that’s just a copout.
        While I may not be a “scientist”, my university training is in maths, physics, chemistry, biology and computer science, so I’ve got a pretty good scientific background.
        As I and other’s have said, it is clear from the IPCC report, and now for your benefit I’ll say it in non-scientific language.
        There is no statistical evidence of climate change. There is no evidence that hurricanes (AKA Cyclones, Tornadoes) have increased in number or intensity globally, There is no evidence of increased global rainfall or drought. There is also no consistent indication that sea levels are rising globally any faster than they have since record keeping began in the 1800s.
        Most Pacific Islands that were supposed to be inundated by now are showing increases in size because the land is rising.
        You honestly don’t need to be a scientist to look at the data that’s available. Remember, climate alarmist science draws funding, and “climate denial” draws ridicule.
        
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        February 24, 2023 1:45pm
      - Stellaboxer
        
        Climate change will usher in socialism then it will be dropped.
        
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        February 24, 2023 4:04pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        Stellar it will be eating insects and assorted vegan slop, very limited travel, very limited heating/cooling and so on for the masses and luxury living as usual for party members coordinating the “saving of the planet” you see.
        
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        February 24, 2023 8:26pm
    - mawm
      
      Sea levels have been rising since they were first measured. The rise is linear. The IPCC trot out a chart to give the impression of an exponential rise by cropping a tidal gauge measured chart from a point below the line onwards and taking on sea levels measured by satellite. This measures two separate things entirely and is dishonest, as is much they have done either by commission or omission.
      NY gauge since 1855 https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends_station.shtml?stnid=8518750
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:37am
      - NZer In Exile
        
        Kench recently found most pacific islands gaining mass!
        
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        February 24, 2023 3:01pm
      - Don Beckett
        
        Our sea lvels now are quite a bit less now than what they were around 1200 BC. There are a number of ancient sea ports in the Mediterranean which are some kilometers from the sea now as the seas subsided. Troy is one, and Rome’s ancient sea port Ostia is now a few kilometers inland.
        Sea level rise will not have those ports operational for another millenium
        
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        February 24, 2023 3:50pm
  - RichardX
    
    Scott,
    You’re also a young earth creationist who denies evolution so your track record for reaching rational positions based on scientific evidence is atrocious.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:18am
    - Scott
      
      Richard X – so lovely to hear from you. I would be happy to debate creation versus evolution with you on another occasion.
      
      However in answer to my question – “If we killed every methane emitting farm animal, locked down NZ again so there are no cars on the road and shut down every factory and power station would that change the weather?” Am I wrong?
      
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      February 24, 2023 9:30am
      - Ford Prefect
        
        Scott, although I feel Climate Change has moved far away from science and entirely to a religious movement, I believe your answer to Richard sums up the scam nicely.
        
        I have had many conversations with people with religious beliefs as I am fascinated how intelligent humans can believe in their faith with no scientific proof. I do not denigrate their beliefs and occasionally feel jealous that I do not have the same comfort from their understanding of the universe.
        
        Global Warming Alarmists will not debate any topic and reduce the conversation to personal abuse, name calling and bullying. If you cant stand by your beliefs and engage in intelligent discussions, then there must be some real flaws in your argument.
        
        They should just come out and say there is no proof, all predictions have failed and they only believe in it as they want to feel superior to those who dont. Perhaps its just a lack of self worth and personal identity
        
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        February 24, 2023 10:10am
      - Local Miller
        
        @Ford Prefect: “I am fascinated how intelligent humans can believe in their faith with no scientific proof”
        But evolution is also faith based and there is at best only circumstantial evidence, 100% dependent on interpretation and often circular logic to support the theory. At the same time, there are many issues with the theory that show it to be full of holes.
        A simple example of this is the population growth. When the known population numbers are extrapolated backwards and forwards they simply don’t support an old earth. This is not based on a creationist data, but data published by the wider scientific community. It’s now also being supported by research into genetics and both mitochondrial (for female lines) and Y Chromosome DNA analysis.
        You may like to read the book “Traced” that puts forward the research and results. The book also makes a number of testable hypotheses, a number of which have since been shown to be correct.
        
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        February 24, 2023 11:26am
      - RichardX
        
        Richard X – so lovely to hear from you. I would be happy to debate creation versus evolution with you on another occasion.
        
        However in answer to my question – “If we killed every methane emitting farm animal, locked down NZ again so there are no cars on the road and shut down every factory and power station would that change the weather?” Am I wrong?
        
        How can you be wrong by asking a question?
        
        However, I find the question poorly formed and a bit of a strawman.
        
        I have not seen sufficient evidence for me to be convinced of the degree to which weather would be impacted by the measures you have put forward in your question.
        
        Can you provide evidence either for or against the measures in your question?
        
        Have you seen any credible claim that this is the path NZ should take?
        
        From the evidence I have seen, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has an impact on climate.
        I have not seen sufficient evidence to be convinced of the degree to which it is caused by man and the amount of impact it has or the measures that should be taken to mitigate it.
        
        What evidence can you provide to convince me that doing nothing to mitigate the risk of increasing green house gases in the atmosphere is better than doing something?
        
        Kind offer to debate the scientific fact of evolution vs what you believe but I don’t debate flat earthers either.
        
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        February 24, 2023 11:29am
      - Ford Prefect
        
        And Richard X’s response sums up the climate debate. Once again offering no evidence but demanding sceptics prove a negative.
        
        Believing that the temperatures are rising because theres more CO2 in the atmosphere is akin to believing increased ice cream sales are linked to increased shark attacks. Correlation is not causation.
        
        Does not the ocean release CO2 as it warms? If the oceans are warming could that not be the cause of increased CO2 levels?
        
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        February 24, 2023 12:51pm
      - RichardX
        
        Where did I mention temperatures are rising?
        
        Scott asked a dumb question.
        I answered his question and then I asked questions in return to demonstrate why I thought it was a dumb question, especially given his history of scientific ignorance.
        
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        February 24, 2023 1:06pm
      - David Lenny
        
        Local Miller, here’s a negative review of Traced:
        
        https://www.reddit.com/r/DebateEvolution/comments/u38aho/a_review_of_traced_human_dnas_big_surprise_by_dr/
        
        If you’re interested in how evolution stacks up scientifically, Jerry Coyne’s highly readable Why Evolution is True has some of the evidence – fossils, biogeography, molecular dna, vestigial features – whose convergence provides a solid scientific basis for the theory. Available in the Auckland library system when I read it some years ago.
        
        Also available is Neil Shubin’s Your Inner Fish which traces human features back to fish features.
        
        One of the common objections to evolutionary theory is the false claim that it does not make testable predictions. IIRC, Shubin, knowing the dates of the earliest earth-walking tetrapods, hypothesised that there would fossils of a missing link with lobe-finned fish (now uncommon) in sedimentary rocks from about 380mya; after searching three years he found the first such fossil, now named Tiktaalik – Wiki is bound to have more details.
        
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        February 24, 2023 3:04pm
      - Local Miller
        
        Dr. Jeanson has addressed each of those points in follow up articles and research papers and shown that they are invalid and/or based on flawed science.
        
        And who is thin 100% anonymous person posting on Reddit any way?
        
        By way of example, this statement is completely wrong: “He uses single-generation pedigree-based mutation rates rather than long-term substitution rates” He’s analysis is based on long term substitution rates and he compares multiple premises that could be extrapolated from the different data sets, including multi species with short generation cycles.
        Rather than just find a rebuttal on Reddit, why not do some real research for yourself?
        
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        February 24, 2023 4:37pm
      - David Lenny
        
        Local Miller @4.37: fair enough to criticise my use of an anonymous review of a book I haven’t read.
        
        But when you write in your earlier post of ‘the wider scientific community’ in rejection of an old earth, you have a problem not just with biologists, who overwhelming support evolutionary theory and an old earth, you have problems with other scientific disciplines such as molecular biology, whose findings are largely consistent with evolutionary interpretations of the fossil records; with geology and plate tectonics; with hard-headed geologists employed by the fossil fuel industry; with physicists who date the earth and its rocks with variations of the same theories that power atomic clocks and nuclear reactors.
        
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        February 24, 2023 7:13pm
    - NZer In Exile
      
      Richard X that’s just a pathetic irrelevant smear.
      
      Argue the subject at hand. Many many accomplished scientists and engineers hold religious beliefs that have many elements deemed scientifically illogical on their face.
      
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      February 24, 2023 3:07pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        Many climate emergency true believers (media, scientists, “science communicators”, commentators) and generic lefties also hold deeply batty “metaphysical” beliefs.
        
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        February 24, 2023 3:10pm
  - rockape
    
    If western countries really want to change the effects o& Global warming the they should cease all trade with the main polluters, China and India. If they are not prepared to do that then I can’t take them seriously.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:39am
- kowtow
  
  Nothing new here .
  
  He calls it climate “adaption”.
  
  For goodness sake that’s just common sense and mankind have been doing it for millenia .
  
  Don’t build on a flood plain .
  
  If you live in a forest , cut an adequate fire break around you.
  
  Harbours require sea defences .
  
  Etc
  
  But so many people and govts have neglected common sense or done stuff on the cheap or for short term profits.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:23am
- Wayne Mapp
  
  Hooton wasn’t suggesting we can just abandon any effort’s towards mitigation. We are still required, largely as a result of international commitments, to make a reasonable level of progress on that front.
  His point is that the biggest financial cost will be adaptation. And that National had/has the opportunity to get out in front on that issue.
  Labour is still opposed to all 4 lane roads, so there is a real opportunity there. Motorways are so well built and designed that they almost never get blocked or put out of commission.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:27am
  - kowtow
    
    His article begins with ” NZ’s era of cliamte change mitigation began with National signing the 1992 Rio Declaration……”
    
    For goodness sake is there any UN one world govt policy that the Nats haven’t signed us up to?
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:36am
    - Widogast Corwin
      
      The Rio summit produced the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Every nation joined. All of them.
      
      So it was kind of unlikely that New Zealand would not sign up 🙂
      
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      February 24, 2023 12:27pm
  - MCōs
    
    “Motorways are so well built and designed that they almost never get blocked”
    According to tweets from Waka Kotahi the various motorways around Auckland are often blocked by accidents.
    Furthermore
    When traveling on the now out of commission Onehunga train I noticed the Southern MW had often ground to a halt.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:08am
  - Chuck Bird
    
    I think he is supporting Act’s position that we must do enough so it does not affect trade but not to try and set an example with silly idea that China will follow us.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:25am
    - Widogast Corwin
      
      Yes exactly. Just can see China, Brazil and India watching New Zealand charge farmers for emissions, and saying “Hey let’s do that too”. No. It will be “Hey when they tank, let’s grab their market share”.
      
      It is bizarre that we even need to explain this.
      
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      February 24, 2023 12:29pm
  - Tom Hunter
    
    Labour is still opposed to all 4 lane roads, so there is a real opportunity there.
    
    I don’t see the National Party can now honestly support such ideas when none other than its Agriculture Spokesman, Todd Muller, has stated that “the world is in a climate emergency”.
    
    Emergencies and crisis call for emergency and crisis measures and 4-lane expressways are not that. Petrol at $20/litre is, among other measures needed to end fossil fuel consumption and GHG emissions asap.
    
    Unless National’s lying about their “belief”, or at least the degree of belief, in Climate Change?
    
    Like Labour.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:41am
    - ClanMcleod
      
      When will these politicians ever be held to account? Particularly when making evidence free statements and when they cannot even give a source for their beliefs, as per the Muller comments?
      It makes you wonder who is actually pulling these peoples’ strings? Surely they all cannot be this inept? If they really believe what they spout then they must justify their irrational nonsense.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:35am
    - Wayne Mapp
      
      Four lane roads are better climate wise than the 2 lane roads they replace. Two reasons. The first is that they are generally more direct and this shorter. Second reason is that it is much easier to have a constant spend. Much less accelerating and braking, which is inefficient.
      So overall, for any given trip, less fuel is used and therefore less emissions.
      I guess the counter argument is that the improved road makes it easier to do more trips.
      
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      February 24, 2023 4:10pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    It’s OK to gamble trillions on a hypothesis full of holes?
    
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    February 24, 2023 3:12pm
- I remember when
  
  Money Matters: Rob Stock.
  There are predictions that as many as half a million homes in Australia may be uninsurable by 2030 because of ‘climate change.’
  
  So ‘climate change’ will affect us whether it happens or not!!.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:30am
  - mawm
    
    Then one could buy a cheap house on the coast and not insure it. Follow the examples of Gore and Obama (after all he told us when he was elected that this was the moment that the seas stopped rising. // ).
    
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    February 24, 2023 11:48am
    - David Lenny
      
      No, he made that claim when he got the Democratic nomination, before he had any power to do something. What colossal vanity!
      
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      February 24, 2023 4:42pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Climate Change, or whatever name it is called, is a HOAX.
  It is weather. Sure we have had a lot of water, but it is still weather. The extent of the damage would be far less without slash. Start looking there for answers.
  
  Some may not know, but the planet is still heating up from the last mini ice-age 10,000 years ago. But we don’t dare teach that in schools.
  Now, go and write “HOAX” 10,000 times as punishment.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:40am
  - I remember when
    
    Episode of the “Deadliest Catch” on TV3 last night.
    Always sailing through large waves, in stormy seas, wind whistling around them.
    Why don’t we just ask them whether storms are getting stronger, more frequent.
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:51am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      One of the hardest nuts out there would be Johnathon Hillstrand (Time Bandit)
      He would make a good interview.
      I missed meeting him in Homer, Alaska. Time Bandit was in the marina but Hillstrand gone. Not even in the Salty Dawg Saloon.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:45am
  - Widogast Corwin
    
    There was nothing “mini’ about the Last Glacial Period.
    
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Glacial_Period
    
    Things are sure heating up alright.
    
    https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature
    
    I have never really understood why “climate change” severely triggers so many commenters on Kiwiblog.
    
    That the earth is rapidly warming is not controversial. What IS controversial is what policies the New Zealand Government should adopt in response. My problem is that adopting stupid and expensive mitigation options (the EV subsidies being a classic example) will make New Zealand poorer. (Both Eric Crampton and the Treasury have produced devastating critiques of the EV subsidy.)
    
    If stupid mitigation policies make New Zealand poorer, we cannot afford adequate adaptation policies. Again, this is not controversial. Rich countries suffer much less from natural disasters than poor countries. This Government has set New Zealand on a track that will make it poorer.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:05am
    - Chuck Bird
      
      “This Government has set New Zealand on a track that will make it poorer.”
      
      Correct and National now supports the government and the Greens’ policies whereas Act doesn’t.
      
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      February 24, 2023 9:22am
    - All_on_Red
      
      The Earth is not ‘rapidly warming’
      That’s completely untrue
      
      20 4
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      February 24, 2023 9:32am
      - All_on_Red
        
        To be clear, .08 per Decade is modest warming- and it’s not accelerating
        
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        February 24, 2023 9:36am
      - Widogast Corwin
        
        This is what I mean about climate change triggering people here. I’ll never understand it. From the data I posted.
        
        “Earth’s temperature has risen by an average of 0.14° Fahrenheit (0.08° Celsius) per decade since 1880, or about 2° F in total.
        
        The rate of warming since 1981 is more than twice as fast: 0.32° F (0.18° C) per decade.”
        
        0.18 degrees of warming for decade is very rapid.
        
        Putting your fingers in your ears and denying the earth is rapidly warming is completely deluded. It is exactly what the communists running New Zealand want you to do. They can paint you as a crazy person and you suck away the credibility of people who criticise their motivation and adaptation policies.
        
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        February 24, 2023 10:24am
      - Chuck Bird
        
        FYI
        
        https://alexepstein.substack.com/p/the-myth-that-97-of-scientists-agree?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=513601&post_id=104646626&isFreemail=true&utm_medium=email
        
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        February 24, 2023 10:32am
      - NothingLeft
        
        Earth’s atmosphere is warming about 0.13°C per decade. https://www.drroyspencer.com/wp-content/uploads/UAH_LT_1979_thru_January_2023_v6.jpg
        But warming rate in Northern hemisphere is about twice that in southern. Truly no big deal for NZ.
        
        Global oceans are warming about .02°C per decade, or 0.04°C per decade in top 2000m. That ultimately clamps rate of atmospheric warming.
        
        Ocean rise is about 1-2mm/year in most places (subsidence corrected tidal gauges). Again no big deal. https://www.sonel.org/-Sea-level-trends-.html?lang=en
        
        Mitigating effects (basically zero in NZ) is the only thing that is going to have any useful impact, and the only sensible economic choice.
        
        Technology revolutions already underway (PV + batteries and hydrogen) are going to see the end of most fossil fuel consumption over next few decades as they are replaced by new and cheaper options.
        
        AI revolution/singularity makes all concern and projection for future moot anyway, none of our plans or projections or assessments of what matters are worth shit beyond the next 10 years.
        
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        February 24, 2023 11:48am
      - Ignoranus
        
        Absolutely true, here are 5 datasets – look at the graph 1975 – 2020, 45 years no acceleration:
        https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20200324_Global_average_temperature_-_NASA-GISS_HadCrut_NOAA_Japan_BerkeleyE.svg
        
        Thank goodness for real scientists on this blog!
        
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        February 24, 2023 12:27pm
    - leoj
      
      Rapidly warming? Nonsense!
      
      Why use stats from the 1980s. What about the “slowing” of warming since 2000. Why not quote those stats?
      
      In 1975, National Geographic was trying to alarm us that the next Ice Age was soon to be upon us.
      
      Make up your freaking mind.
      
      More fear porn from alarmists.
      
      Warmer means better crops and more food.
      
      More people die from being cold than being warm.
      
      Take your fear porn and shove it.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:44am
      - Ignoranus
        
        Yeah, no rapid warming. Look here, only 0.72C between 1980 and 2020, only 0.18C/decade:
        https://www.quora.com/How-much-has-the-Earth-s-temperature-risen-in-the-last-40-years
        
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        February 24, 2023 12:32pm
      - NothingLeft
        
        land based temperature measurements are highly suspect as they are all heavily biased by urban heat island effects – impact of slow build up of cities around temperature gauges steadily raising their temperature vs rural gauges.
        
        Most reliable records are satellite based, and they tell a much different story.
        
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        February 24, 2023 2:28pm
    - ClanMcleod
      
      Widogast – the only thing I will say to you regarding the data you posted.
      
      Using PCR tests as a measure of covid cases and subsequent basis for inane government policies was a predictable and predicted disaster.
      
      Similar obfuscation and manipulation of data is used by the climate ideologues.
      Data is only useful if it can be proven accurate. I’ve read enough information re “climate change” over the last 40 years to be sure of only one thing. As with the covid narrative, none of it can be trusted.
      
      This is an excellent article that demonstrates the principles involved.
      
      One consideration is that the Covid narrative in Middle Earth (NZ – as elsewhere) is based on the misuse and misinterpretation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the death of clinical medicine, as we have made clear.
      
      Cases may not have been active cases, hospitalisations may not be due to SARS-CoV-2, and deaths may be due to various causes related or unrelated to SARs-CoV-2. We will never know for sure. Why? Because the PCR cycle threshold for testing PCR “positive” in Middle Earth was 40 to 45, ensuring that most tested people would test positive even in the total absence of contamination (a very tall order).
      
      So presenting figures of cases, hospitalisations and deaths based on qualitative PCR results inflates the totals and undermines the confidence in the competence and honesty of public health bodies: it is disinformation.
      
      This is from a post regarding a released NZ government paper proposing how they would deal with “dis/misinformation”.
      
      For”dis/misinformation” read “any pov that counters the story we’re trying to tell.” No attempt to actually discuss or debate in a rational manner.
      
      The NZ government deliberately lied and twisted data because Ardern in particular was unable to countenance any opposition. Probably due to her deep seated insecurity. Sadly her whole methodology appears to have been adopted and accepted by every MP in parliament.
      
      The Eye of Sauron
      How the New Zealand government planned to deal with “disinformation”.
      
      https://trusttheevidence.substack.com/p/the-eye-of-sauron
      
      Loss of trust is what happens when government and politicians are repeatedly caught lying or misrepresenting a situation because they wish to maintain narrative control, no matter how fraudulent the actual narrative is. It is no basis for running a supposedly democratic country.
      
      It is no basis for implementing life threatening policies. This applies as much to “climate change” as it should have done for the “covid pandemic”.
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:02am
      - Ignoranus
        
        Brilliant!
        
        Cheered me up no end…
        
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        February 24, 2023 12:39pm
    - NZer In Exile
      
      5000 to 8000 years ago. Hotter than now (no significant human Co2 production back then).
      
      Medieval warm period. Hotter than now (no significant human Co2 production back then).
      
      Last interglacial period (The Eemian period around 120,000 years ago). Hotter than now (no significant human Co2 production back then). Hippopotami were wallowing in the Thames. Evidence of much higher tree lines back then exist.
      
      Life carried on. The planet did not implode.
      
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      February 24, 2023 3:19pm
- Bullion
  
  It’s a dumb take. Hooton is right that the “left” was correct on the science – though the science doesn’t care about political leanings – but he doesn’t realise that we still need to reduce our impact on the climate, it will only get worse if we do nothing.
  
  If you have a leak in a dam you don’t start building flood defences hoping the leak doesn’t get worse, you fix the leak or make sure it doesn’t get any worse.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:23am
  - Tom Hunter
    
    New Zealand fixes the leak by sticking a finger in its little leak in the dam and loses the finger – while beside us India, Africa and China are making their leaks bigger.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:54am
    - Nickc2
      
      …. and we don’t want to upset any of them because we want them to buy our goods eh?
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:00am
    - Bullion
      
      Our per capita emissions are 3 times India and roughly the same as China.
      
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      February 24, 2023 1:57pm
      - Local Miller
        
        This is a false equivalence. The reason India’s per capita CO2 footprint is so low is because so much of the population live in abject poverty. In general China is not much better. If you want to compare CO2/capita yo need to be looking at countries with similar wealth distribution and see where we sit.
        We could look at CO2 footprint by GDP/Capita and you’ll see that our GDP/Capita was US$48,781 vs India’s US$2,256 vs China’s $US12,556 (2021 figures, latest I could find). Base on these numbers our CO2 emissions are order of magnitude better, since we generate the same amount of CO2 as India & China while generating US$16,260 in wealth. This is 7 times better than India and 30% better than China.
        In 2021 China produced 10.9 B Tonnes of CO2, India 2.45 BT and the rest of Asia 7.51 BT, and all increasing. The USA produced 4.7BT, down from a high of 5.13BT in 1989. ALL of Oceania, including NZ only produce 443 MT out of a world total of 37.12BT, so about 0.01% of global CO2 output. Our’s is a small fraction of this, let’s be generous and say 10% of, so 0.001% of all man made CO2.
        At the current CO2 levels there are ~3,292 Gigatonnes of CO2 in the atmosphere, our tiny contribution would have the same impact as your pissing in the ocean and trying to measure the pH change.
        
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        February 24, 2023 2:49pm
  - Tom Hunter
    
    BTW – is the “Left” correct in claiming that we have a Climate Change “Emergency” or “Crisis”?
    
    Because I don’t recall reading that in the IPCC technical reports between AR2 and AR6 (couldn’t be buggered reading AR1).
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:57am
    - Chuck Bird
      
      Todd Muller refers to a climate change emergency.
      
      Hi Chuck
      
      Personally, I do think the world is in a climate emergency. The challenge as it always has been is to get global action as opposed to global speeches and talk fests.
      
      I am in strong agreement with Scott that we have to get NZ action in a sensible place – function of ETS price, available technology, and sensible conversations with larger emitting sectors to build a plan – cutting cows and stopping NZ steel etc.
      
      Kind regards
      Todd
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:15am
      - Widogast Corwin
        
        Just appalling.
        
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        February 24, 2023 10:26am
      - Don Beckett
        
        I don’t think we have too much to fear from Global warming/Climate change.
        In Sydney Australia, 2022 was the first year since 1859 where they never recorded a temperature above 32 C.
        In California, unprecedented cold is having the beaches freeze during February 2023.
        In North Eastern New Mexico, they are have the biggest dumps of snow on record.
        Those 1972 predictions of an impending ice age may have not been too far off the mark. After all, they have been predicting for several years noe of a Solar Minimum to hit around 2024 – 2025.
        The James Shaw will be screaming for someone to light his gas fireplace.
        
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        February 24, 2023 4:38pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    You know there is a limit to how much Co2 can have a warming effect in the atmosphere right?
    
    There is NOT a linear relationship between rising atmospheric Co2 and the amount of heat retained in the atmosphere. You know that right?
    
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    February 24, 2023 3:24pm
    - Don Beckett
      
      I suspect the alarmists don’t want to know NZer. It defeats their narrative & gravy train.
      Its up to poor silly buggers like us ‘CLIMATE DENIERS’ to know that.
      How can someone deny the climate ? Its a bloody joke the way these tossers toss around the ‘climate denier’ accusation.
      
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      February 24, 2023 4:42pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        You just have to look at the number of extremely accomplished scientists (as in generally recognised as top of their fields) who give very detailed reasons on why this whole thing should at best be treated with extreme caution. Of course one has to get past all the fire-hoses of pure propaganda pushed by the far-left/media/grant-whore complex to find this.
        
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        February 24, 2023 5:58pm
- Handyman
  
  I couldn’t read the article, but off the headline.
  
  This is the approach we should take.
  don’t kill the cows
  don’t force up the cost of electricity
  don’t pay extra taxes
  don’t sub subsidise free loading battery cars
  
  Instead, agree with IPCC report and concentrate on building good infrastructure, just like we do for earthquakes.
  
  BTW, each IPCC report is steadily reducing the extreme predictions still popular in the media. For example, in earlier reports it would have taken all the coal in the world (enough for 1000 years current usage), burnt it all at once and still not produced enough CO2 to lift temp by the extreme amount. The latest IPCC report quietly removed that extreme forecast.
  
  My response to the shibboleth question is “I rely in the UN IPCC report”. That confuses most people.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:55am
- Bob
  
  Must have been a wind change of direction; Hooten has shifted his view.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:50am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Hooten has his nose out of joint after being told to piss off after the shambles that was Muller.
  
  Why did he ignore Luxons plan to rebuild infrastructure to cope with storms, how did he not see it? Hooten is s as n idiot
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:33pm
RockyJ

New Zealand Samoan poet issues a threat to kill white men. Sean Plunket reveals how Tusiata Avia has received Foundation North funding to present a threatening poem at the Auckland Arts Festival.

She reads her poem in this video by Sean. She says that the descendants of James Cook, being white men, are going to be knifed by brown girls.

This is crazy. How bad has wokery become that people can get support to issue death threats to another race? This is surely a criminal act of threatening to kill. God, this has to be stopped now. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-light-rail-absolutely-going-ahead-says-transport-minister/XZ4XCJO4GRA4HIDKP7K3AXR7EU/
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February 24, 2023 8:12am
- Yabster
  
  wow thats is disgusting- and funded by the Government- what the fuck is going on in this country- I am sure the MSM will confront the PM on it though…. Meng Foon will no doubt sort it also….
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:00am
- nathie
  
  So she is advocating killing people?
  
  Surely a complaint to the Police is warranted (forget the likes of the namby-pamby Race Relations office as they won’t do anything etc).
  
  Also is this a real example of “hate speech”? If so throw it back on the Left when they advocate for hate speech laws and say “you mean like this person”? Bet their reaction will be tumbleweeds.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:22am
  - Yabster
    
    the MSM and Meng Foon comment is sarcasm- BaFoon only ever wades in if whitey says something…
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:53am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    You’ll know it when you hear it
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:19pm
- Mark Hanley
  
  Who cares? Far more important things to think about like why the reserve bank continues with harsh interest rates rises in the aftermath of a financially cataclysmic natural disaster. https://www.downtoearth.kiwi/post/welcome-back-to-the-reserve-bank-ocr-comedy-show
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:03am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Until the government stop their huge spend, they will have to put up interest rates
    
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    February 24, 2023 12:36pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Just a poem like the vulgar song that said the singer would love to rape Keys daughter and kill her, liked by Ardern, that should not have been allowed
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:35pm
- RockyJ
  
  Sorry all. I pasted in the wrong link. Here is the actual woman making this threat. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pzj35NCZXrM
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:52pm
kowtow

Auckland airport flooding.

Today’s business news says they’re taking a hard look at their storm water systems ( this in the context of climate change)

Why did the place flood ? It wasn’t rising sea levels or “climate change” ( which the left , te media pardy and now Lux wants us to think it was) cos if it was then the place would still be under water.

Was it inadequate infrastructure , as implied in the sentence “hard look at storm water systems”.

I suspect and would like to know ; was it a combination of a high tide ,the storm’s heavy rain , location of airport in low lying former swamp now reclaimed together with inadequate infrastructure.
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February 24, 2023 8:13am
- Colville
  
  was it a combination of a high tide ,the storm’s heavy rain , location of airport in low lying former swamp now reclaimed together with inadequate infrastructure.
  
  Much like there is no such thing as bad weather there is only inappropriate clothing…
  
  The airport is well above sea level… its just lack of planning and infrastructure. Someone might have to do some work!
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:35am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Pipes are not good enough to cope, as Luxon said build the infrastructure to cope, but that’s alright, people on here roils rather the greens and Labour simply banning everything
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:37pm
- NothingLeft
  
  965hPa Storm surge lifted local sea level by 0.5m, likely adding backpressure to low-lying storm drains.
  
  Won’t be too big a job to upgrade drains in many locations to manage similar storms in future – especially if simply factored into future planning rules rather than done immediately. Though with low recurrence (>100 year) it may not be worth it in some cases
  
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  February 24, 2023 2:33pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Pumps can deal with that, in Dunedin on the foreshore of the harbour, when neap tides are at their worst, the tide comes up the storm water and creates pooling up the mud tank across the road, it lasts a few high tides and back to normal, a bit like a storm surge
    
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    February 24, 2023 7:21pm
Simon

The looting after the cyclone was a disgrace for NZ. Instead of dealing with these appalling criminals they heap problems and guilt on normal people with man made climate junk science.
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February 24, 2023 8:13am
- kowtow
  
  And say metaphorically of the looting ;
  
  Nothing to see here , but look over there , domestics are the problem.
  ( that’s why the uniform includes a ribbon for it)
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:47am
- MCōs
  
  Looting is almost inevitable after any disaster.
  I asked my wife if it’s a problem in Thailand where flooding occurs across the country every year & houses can be flooded for weeks.
  It’s a terrible problem. Many people don’t leave their houses to protect them because they’re on their on.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:22am
  - cmm
    
    Well it is inevitable if soft-cocked government police and judiciary allow it to happen!
    
    A few rooftop Koreans would change the shape of the looting problem entirely.
    
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    February 24, 2023 11:45am
    - MCōs
      
      Plenty of illegal guns in Thailand, mate, don’t you worry about that.
      
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      February 24, 2023 4:50pm
- Inandout
  
  Simon, they will name it Crime Change which of course is blamed on Climate Change. This catchword also causes Culture Change, Trans Change, Homo Change, Race Change..and the list goes on until we reach the old Money Change.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:14am
- cmm
  
  We had the same in Chch after the EQs too. Within hours there were looters heading to closed shops to get a 5 finger discount on a TV.
  
  It’s one thing breaking into a shop when you’re starving to steal a can of baked beans. It’s quite another heading off with trolleys full of consumer goods.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:43am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  No, Hipkins simply called the effected people liars
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:38pm
- cmm
  
  Here’s how you prevent looting:
  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bK9wl6NgtF0
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:50pm
Maggie Pie

Heard the Immigration Minister earlier saying…. we urgently need to “bring in thousands of migrants” for the clean-up and recovery work.

He said Visa Applications will open today, and the gubmint intends to have them processed within ONE WEEK of being received! Successful applicants will have their fees waived to come here.

Now I know we need these people urgently, but how long does it take to do an in-depth investigation into a persons criminal-background?

Asking for a friend.
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February 24, 2023 8:14am
- Cinematic
  
  Does this friend of yours not have a phone or the internet?
  
  Asking for a friend.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:17am
- In Vino Veritas
  
  With this Government and bureaucracy Mags, it takes an awful long time. One week is just an opening of negotiations. As we know re Labour, they will form a committee to consult on the consultation and then move to another committee to review the work of the previous committee and think about setting a process up that even when the process is formalised, will have to be reviewed by a special interest group before being referred to Treasury for a review that won’t be read by the Minister, who will then blame Treasury and other faceless bureaucrats for not providing information.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:23am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    You forgot ‘ seeking permissions from Iwi.
    
    And, when that is all finally done the Govt will make and announcement about a future announcement, in which will make a full announcement, one day.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:09am
- artemisia
  
  Call for an amnesty for overstayers from the Pacific Islands so they can help.
  
  Aotearoa Tongan Response Group deputy chair Pakilau Manase Lua estimated there were “a few hundred” of them in the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne regions.
  
  Probably many are good workers but they have still broken the law and quite likely to be working under the tax radar. Also an issue for their employers.
  
  Maybe a short window when they can apply without risk of deportation for a visa that can lead to residency, after the usual checks of course.
  
  http://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/484562/call-for-amnesty-so-overstayers-can-help-with-cyclone-clean-up
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:35am
  - Paulus
    
    The last estimated numbers was that there are something like 14,000 Overstayers in Auckland – mainly I suggest from the Pacific Islands – assume that the census figures are moderated o reflect this – like the 400 plus Iwi named, so I do not know which one to tick.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:30am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Note that New Zealanders can not help with this cleanup because they are all busy.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:10am
  - MCōs
    
    No
    They want to be paid more than thruppence/hour and live in a shed with sparse utilities.
    It’s all very well rushing there volunteering in the initial days, the long haul is a different matter.
    I’m sure there are people who would do the grunt work out of the goodness of their heart, but most people have bills to pay themselves.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:36am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      See what I mean by “busy?”
      
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      February 24, 2023 9:38am
  - Ghost
    
    A lot of New Zealanders are helping with the cleanup Steve. If you mean bring in beneficiaries from out of town, where are you going to accomodate them? What exactly will they be doing? Or if you mean trades people, what about their current jobs should other New Zealanders go without having their building and plumbing and electrical work done for months or years?
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:46am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Retired Tradies like me? Heavy stuff is out because of my rotor cuff and cubital tunnel.
      But I have a wealth of mechanical knowledge. Many retired Tradies would love to dig in.
      If Faafoi wants to bring in immigrants, they will still need accommodation. You can bet your bottom dollar he has not even thought about that.
      
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      February 24, 2023 10:38am
      - Nickc2
        
        What’s Faafoi got to do with it? He quit politics in June 2022.
        However, you could say the ghost of Chris Faafoi still haunts the Immigration Portfolio of Michael Wood the current Minister of Immigration. They are both equally incompetent.
        
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        February 24, 2023 10:44am
      - Ghost
        
        Then apply for the jobs there. Nothing stopping people.
        
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        February 24, 2023 10:51am
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Nick. I was busted by the Google Machine. The Faafoi dial is there, but clicking on the URL is shows Wood. My fault for not checking further.
        
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        February 24, 2023 11:53am
    - cmm
      
      Where do you accommodate them?
      Easy: Send the schoolkids home from boarding schools and they can sleep in dormitories.
      
      If it was war they’d find place to accommodate soldiers no problem.
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:53am
- Ghost
  
  Shame he couldn’t work that fast for the shortages in health.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:15am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    He hasn’t worked quick, Luxon stated last week that emergency powers should lead to job visas becoming easier and also altering fruit pickers now without work, and what’s know, this week it’s simple, this is why Nats have not realised their policies yet, because they will simply take them
    
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    February 24, 2023 12:42pm
- cmm
  
  Options:
  A) Get in more workers: doing all the consultations on these policies, then enacting them and getting the workers, then making sure they don’t overstay,…
  B) Kick the cuzzies off the couch.
  
  I can see why they’d go for (A).
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:26am
- Nickc2
  
  Are they going to track and deport overstayers? Doubt it! It wasn’t popular when implemented against Pacific Islanders.
  It’s just more loading on our Health and Welfare services which those holding down jobs will have to pay for via their taxes.
  Come on Michael Wood, answer these questions.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:10am
slightlyrighty

Light Rail will be the death of this government, and it should be the first thing the Government cuts rather than Raise Taxes.

The 24 BILLION set aside in current and future budgets would be better spent building back the Cyclone Devastated regions, and supporting resilient infrastructure nationwide.
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February 24, 2023 8:15am
- tui47
  
  Apparently raising the top tax rate and the rate at which trusts are taxed is on the table. Robbo plans to use the rich to play for the cyclone clean up. Plus a flood levy is under consideration.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:16am
  - Yabster
    
    Problem is the truely rich don’t pay PAYE, and the people on the couple of top tax brackets are paying a large proportion of the tax take already – but politically its the easy option- a flood levy (a tax) would be fairly unpopular given the cost of living issues we face.
    
    I am sure China would give us a loan no conditions attached…
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:03am
  - Paulus
    
    Flood Levy off the table as National suggested it first.
    They will have to find another tax.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:32am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Who suggested a flood levy? , Nats have stated from day one a tax is not what is needed
      
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      February 24, 2023 7:25pm
  - sirknz
    
    Do you want offshore trusts in tax havens?
    
    Because this is how you get offshore trusts in tax havens.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:54am
- amospicton
  
  Yes, $15k per household across the entire country. I live relatively close to the route (and might benefit from less traffic) but it’s not worth $15k to me. Quite how this benefits non-central Aucklanders is beyond me? Let alone to the extent of $15k.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:06am
  - Handyman
    
    From the first digger on the job, traffic along the route will be a nightmare for 10 years until the tramway is complete. Then it will get worse. Think of the disruption for the central city rail loop and that was underground!
    
    To put this crazy idea to bed, paint rail lines in the road and allow buses to simulate trams.
    Imagine how people are going to get to the tram in the middle of the road. Car drivers will face traffic lights at every current bus stop to allow pedestrians to walk from footpath to tram platform. There will be a mini rail platform at every stop, leaving just enough space for one lane for cars and one for cycles (no parking possible) and no room for a bus lane.
    
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    February 24, 2023 12:50pm
- Paulus
  
  No, 3/5 Waters will be the death of this Government and Chippy.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:31am
- NothingLeft
  
  This is pure politics by Labour – just signalling (extremely expensively) to their economically and technologically illiterate all-about-the-feelz base. They know it’s never going to happen. Next govt will cancel white elephants like this in a heartbeat.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:52am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Exactly, but it’s a Cindy want to have, the price is 29billion, snd extra billion per year delayed, tgd price is just more lies by this government, it has already been established the price will be 29-40 billion, if they can this now after the bucket and spade exercise yesterday then it’s utterly pathetic politicking by this rotten bunch of losers
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:31pm
Tomtoddy

I came upon roadworks in south Auckland yesterday. It involved a section of one-way traffic on what is a quiet street. A young guy, hoodie and dark glasses, sat, laid back in a chair by the sign ‘stop/go’ sign. It showed ‘stop’. I waited. After a couple of minutes I saw him give me a thumbs up sign. He continued to lay back in the chair and didn’t reach up to turn the sign. I pointed to the sign. He gave me another thumbs up. The sign stayed on ‘stop’. I waited and pointed to the sign again. He shrugged and stayed put. Cars came through from the other way. Hoodie and dark glasses remained sprawled in his chair. Another thumbs up.

I was already late for a meeting so I drove through very respectfully suggesting through the open offside window he get off his posterior and do what my taxes were paying him to do. Actually, I wasn’t really very respectful. It might have even been ‘hate’ speech.
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February 24, 2023 8:17am
- Maggie Pie
  
  I’ve read where some have even had sawn-off shotguns pointed at them 🙁
  
  It does piss you off though.
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:23am
  - Blog-aholic
    
    Not according to the PM…..unsubstantiated rumour apparently.
    Double down even as of last night.
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:28am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    No no, Hipkins has said that’s bullshit 😃👍🏻
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:37pm
- Cinematic
  
  Traffic control has morphed into what surely must be one of NZ’s largest drags on productivity. No kerbside activity is too trivial to deliberately obstruct citizens trying to get about their business.
  
  Traffic Management Plan = ka-ching
  
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  February 24, 2023 8:24am
  - kowtow
    
    New Zealand’s new big businesses .
    
    Traffic cones and dope cones.
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:49am
- cmm
  
  This is what happens when you try to kick the cuzzies off the couch.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:26am
- MCōs
  
  Those guys work for contractors. Whoever is digging up the the road has to use them to control the traffic.
  Personally I couldn’t think of a much more mundane job.
  Ring up the your local councilor and suggest Wayne Brown could save a few bob if he changes the by laws around traffic control at road works.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:48am
- Tommo
  
  The stop go sign swingers get paid over $30/hour to perform the task too
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:18am
  - MCōs
    
    Where do I sign up?
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:26pm
The Redbaiter

Chuck- Hooton is wrong and will always be wrong. Past examples- 1) his denigration of Don Brash for Brash’s Orewa speech and 2) his support for the disastrous Muller coup within National which gifted the 2020 election to Labour.

There are a multitude of scientific studies showing there is no increase in bad weather related to man’s CO2 emissions. It is a media/ academia driven myth.

Sure, we need to do far better in local flood planning but the idea that we need to spend big to prepare for an impending greenhouse gas driven apocalyptic disaster is just hysteria driven nonsense.
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February 24, 2023 8:21am
- Chuck Bird
  
  You are correct that he is wrong about emissions are not the cause of bad weather but he is right in saying rather than spending money or penalizing farmers we are be spending money to adapt to sea level rise.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:06am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Only Labour want to penalise farmers, farmers their selves want to contribute, snd Nats policy is to let farmers come up with their price that they want to pay, every cent of that money to go into better infrastructure
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:43pm
- sirknz
  
  $tuff has two articles side by side (at the time of writing this) where some Canadians are put out because their canal won’t freeze over for enough days in winter, meanwhile there are massive winter storms bringing cold weather and chaos across the US again.
  
  One is blamed on global warming.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:00am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    The 70 year cycle is moving back, these heaven snows have been a thing for many years in the north these days, it seem pretty normal weather, I remember no real snow on ski fields god much of the 90s and part of the 00s, but the last 10 years has seem some large snow falls again on ski fields, mirroring the far colder winters in the north the last decade
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:46pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  No , COVID eon the election for Labour
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:41pm
- NZer In Exile
  
  Also best not to have people having their homes in flood and fire prone areas (fire being more an Aus issue than a NZ one). Simples.
  
  But no, let’s forget previous catastrophic floods and keep building in areas known to get smashed by floods!
  
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  February 24, 2023 3:28pm
Prince

I tip my hat to the Minister for Auckland, and for Roads and Transport, for cleverly boxing his Finance Minister into a corner yesterday.
With the estimated bill for Gabrielle cleanup running at $40B, and the estimated cost of Auckland Light Rail about the same, the obvious answer is to cancel A) to fund B).
So Woods goes public yesterday ‘turning the first sod’ on Light Rail, and pledging to complete it.
He was quoted as being ‘absolutely committed’ to the project.
Would like to be a fly on the wall when Woods next meetsRobertson and Hipkins.
Also, I wonder if Simeon Brown was in on the ruse, asking Woods on Wednesday when the Light Rail would begin. ‘Tomorrow’ answered Woods.
There’s no turning back now, Grant.
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February 24, 2023 8:33am
- amospicton
  
  It’s Wood – singular in more than just literally.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:09am
  - Paulus
    
    The plural Woods is the pie eating one from Christchurch.
    
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    February 24, 2023 10:35am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Hosking snookered him today , asked him to guarantee it won’t be canceled now the project has started, tgd little weasel refused and went on to blame Nats for transport and the ferry disaster at present
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:48pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    Some people get their knickers in a twist over The Hosk being a rich yuppie prat etc etc. He’s very sharp and great for not letting slippery turds off the hook.
    
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    February 24, 2023 3:32pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      He almost had me slipping off my steering wheel HAHAHA
      
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      February 24, 2023 7:28pm
Grunter

The latest news on WW3 is that Putin is putting more tactical nukes around the world on his ships and subs. Talking up Russia’s ‘triad of nuclear arms’ (air, land, sea).
Meanwhile, Biden’s teleprompter publically stated that China should not help Russia in any way or they will suffer the consequences (trade sanctions, and…..). A public threat like that just means they will have no choice but to save face and do the opposite.
So battle lines are now drawn – Russia/China/Iran/?? vs US/NATO and I guess Aust & NZ.
Maybe we should change our name to Aotearoa after all – that way the Ruskies nukes won’t find us.
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February 24, 2023 8:40am
I remember when

Will people whose homes have been flood damaged be able to –
(a) Sell their homes in future.
(b) To get a reasonable price if they do
(c) Afford house insurance if it is available.

Do we need a scheme like Flood Re in the UK designed to underwrite private insurers, so that insurance for flood-prone homes remains affordable.
The 25 year end-by-date means there is no incentive to building in flood-prone areas.
Also, homes built after Flood Re was set up are not covered by the scheme.
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February 24, 2023 8:40am
- Paulus
  
  d) assume they have any or up to date insurance ?
  Mortgage Holders conditons are tha they hold valid Insurance policies to cover at least the Mortgage.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:37am
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Trump:
“at the end of my next four years, the warmongers and frauds in the senior ranks of our government will all be gone.“
Get rid of all of the Warmongering Generals in the Pentagon. Remember, War in Ukraine would never have happened under a Trump administration. He says he could end the conflict in 24 hours (no weapons I guess he means)
His famous words aimed at Putin and Kin Jong-un, and similar: “You don’t have to like someone to respect them, and with that respect you gain respect back” Hard to pull that to bits.
Anyway:
Trump – We Need to Clean House of all Warmongers And America-Last Globalists In National Security Industrial Complex. (video 3.52)
https://finishtherace.com/eric/trump-we-need-to-clean-house-of-all-warmongers-and-america-last-globalists-in-national-security-industrial-complex/
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February 24, 2023 8:50am
Yvette

Jacinda Ardern: ‘Climate change is my generation’s nuclear-free moment‘
– campaign launch speech 20/08/2017
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/jacinda-ardern-climate-change-is-my-generation-s-nuclear-free-moment.html

“My generation’s nuclear-free moment” – well, not-so-nuclear free
– fucking thousands of tons of forestry slash is the carbon fallout
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February 24, 2023 8:52am
kowtow

HDPA alluded to some Green MP saying they wanted to sue the oil companies for the damage done by these climate change induced storms .

Now where is the science behind that .

Where’s the baying mob of witch hunters from te media pardy .

Here was me thinking it was dairy farmers , ute drivers , families flying on overseas holidays , gas bbq ers and meat eaters who were killing planet .

Afterall that’s who this regime has specifically identified as the problem as it couldn’t be coal use seeing as how we now import more coal than ever before ……..
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February 24, 2023 8:55am
- Paulus
  
  Usual Green MPs, Piss and Wind !
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:38am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Oil companies – storms?
  Yep, the Greens are bloody crazy.
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:00pm
- NZer In Exile
  
  Will they be suing oil companies for supplying the fuel for their overseas political junkets and their mandatory poser OEs ???
  
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  February 24, 2023 3:35pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Enter BMW Jimmy. Let’s go to another Climate Change Meeting.
    One that is far away from NZ as possible. I still get paid if I am overseas for more than 4 weeks right?
    
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    February 24, 2023 4:24pm
BeaB

Numpties on Radio NZ gloating over political focus going on National after Maureen Pugh’s clumsy comments. The media never admits it is they who decide what they are going to focus their cameras and reporters on. In this case the ramblings of a lowly ranked MP. For the media this outranked everything the government is doing and saying on the Cyclone, the economic implications, the huge decisions that have to be made.
That is their decision. To suggest anything else is typical of their hypocrisy.
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February 24, 2023 9:06am
- kowtow
  
  Yes , it was a classic “ambush” to literally create a controversy.
  
  The whole thing was designed , planned and executed by te media pardy .
  
  How people can’t see that is beyond me.
  
  They have also politicised a tragedy by doing what they did .
  
  They really are lowlife scum.
  
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  February 24, 2023 2:22pm
I remember when

Once again: Special hunting season for paradise shelduck.
In the Taranaki Game Management Area ‘C’ only.
To help move them on after they have massed for their annual moult.
Must hold a 2022 licence and obtain a $5 permit.
Daily bag of 10 ducks per hunter.
First weekend, Feb 25-26.
Then March 4-5.
Finally March 11,12,13.
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February 24, 2023 9:07am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  No Mallards? //
  
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  February 24, 2023 4:29pm
Chris Nisbet

I was quote pleased to see a story on the news last night about the devastating impact that forestry slash had on the East Coast. Images of the stuff piled up against bridges and houses.
After days of getting told it was all about ‘climate change’, finally we hear something that makes a little bit more sense.
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February 24, 2023 9:15am
- Nickc2
  
  Whose idea was it to let ‘slash’ accumulate during logging operations?
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:22am
  - MCōs
    
    Whoever makes money from selling the logs of course.
    I would have thought that was obvious.
    I’ll put this here. Make up your own minds
    https://twitter.com/sophieodoom/status/1628674777547411456?s=61&t=rSDtloeu9BCsd-pFf5EBBA
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:34pm
    - NZer In Exile
      
      Greens/left types don’t want it left there to fertilise the forest and feed all the organisms that feed off it?
      
      Look over there. Greedy capitalists killing the planet!
      
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      February 24, 2023 3:39pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Native slash only. Oh wait, can’t cut down natives; or very few people can.
        
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        February 24, 2023 4:35pm
      - MCōs
        
        They are pine trees because they grow quickly.
        Originally the land on the east Cape was covered in in native trees that were cleared away a long time ago and the land converted to sheep farming. This was eventually replaced with forestry again.
        All of this is done to make a buck as you’d understand.
        
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        February 24, 2023 4:43pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Not sure, but Nash point blank refused to do anything about it in December when the same thing happened a boy was killed the day after he refused
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:51pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Roads roads roads rail.
If this clown circus want to find out about roading they should visit Anchorage, Alaska.
They have motorways and freeways that put Auckland – and NZ to shame. City has less than 300,000. Auckland has over 5 times that and we keep putting on bandaids.
Same with Rail. Alaska has a very short rail line, Seward to Fairbanks some 470 miles.
But it is World class. It has to be, not just for tourists, but fuel.
Oil goes out at Valdez and comes back refined at Seward. Big, everything is big. Most trains have at least two engines, safety in the minus 54F winter.
Anyway it is about time NZ just plain sacked this clown circus. They are only along for the well paid ride.
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February 24, 2023 9:26am
- cmm
  
  I am pretty sure Alaska would be getting far less attention if it wasn’t such a strategic oil & military area.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:36am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Military Bases is about nine, but you rarely see them.
    I guess they don’t have flaky Greens in relation to oil.
    A different World. I have a drone. Here it picks up about 17 to 23 satellites. Up there the same drone registers 85 to 130. A different World.
    
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    February 24, 2023 9:45am
    - cmm
      
      What do you mean by satellites?
      
      We can see many more GNSS (aka GPS and similar) satellites in NZ than can be seen in mainland USA. I would think Alaska can see more as it can probably see some of the Chinese and Japanese that can’t be seen from mainland USA, but certainly not 130 of them.
      
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      February 24, 2023 11:21am
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Drone links to satellites for GPS. When it is turned on the map shows NZ. Map changes automatically for Hawaii, and Alaska. Clever. MavicPro by DJI.
        
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        February 24, 2023 1:39pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  When I said big, how about a coal train with 7 engines?
  https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=alaska+rail+engines&docid=603535650634995646&mid=8EBECE9C2E21B25D2B6E8EBECE9C2E21B25D2B6E&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
  
  NZ can’t have that. Not allowed to mine coal here.
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:49am
  - NZer In Exile
    
    Importing dirty Indonesian coal instead is the super smart way to go!
    
    Pssst. Gas has half the Co2 emissions of coal straight off the bat (for the climate emergency cult members) and emits far less pollutants.
    
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    February 24, 2023 3:41pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      I won’t tell if you don’t tell. Huntly on an area coal base. The World is fucking laughing at us.
      Watching these flakes is sometimes pure comedy.
      
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      February 24, 2023 4:40pm
Maggie Pie

There can be no doubt Twitter has become sooo much more informative and exciting since the bad old days of @jack

Elon Musk is the epitome of a ‘free-speech-absolutist’
He’s just what the world needed!

Fab to see ‘Mostly Peaceful Memes’ reinstated 😀

https://twitter.com/MostlyPeacefull/status/1628790958434451457
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February 24, 2023 9:51am
- mawm
  
  I like Musk and support most of what he is doing BUT he relies heavily on the Federal government for large amounts of funding so I’m a little sceptical about what he is doing. Is the Fed controlling him and allowing only approved releases? Is there much more than what we’ll ever see?
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:11pm
- GJM
  
  As a farmer… we had no say and no choice. Nothing at all was not an option, neither was taking into account our grass and trees, or that our competition isn’t crippled by this, or the Paris agreement excludes food production.
  National, like Labour but blue.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:09pm
Sequel

There’s only one good thing about this cyclone that I can think of – the change of PM saved me from endless hours of video of Cindy looking concerned and hugging people. I really don’t think i could have coped with that.
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February 24, 2023 10:23am
- Paulus
  
  Cindy has been photographed by some media making sandwiches in a Marae.
  Can’t be left out anywhere.
  Watch out Chippy she does not like not to be the centre of attention.
  
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  February 24, 2023 10:41am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    She was chopping a pumpkin upside down and smirking, flew into HB with our money, stayed the night, but couldn’t go to parliament the next day
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:54pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    When she is not, she makes sure to be in.
    There was a vid where she bumped a kid out of the way, just so she could be in the photo. Total narcissist.
    
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    February 24, 2023 4:46pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Now we have Hipkins looking backwards out of a helicopter with concerned face
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:52pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Did he tilt his head and start word souple waffling?
    
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    February 24, 2023 4:47pm
Tom Hunter

Chris Luxon speaking on the Climate Change Emergency.

From a larger post on propaganda, And fire will engulf the old Earth
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February 24, 2023 10:30am
Tom Hunter

Also, the following is what politicians would be doing if they truly believed in Climate Change: Radical Emptiness:

nslee had launched his campaign two years earlier as a longshot, single-issue candidate. But events rapidly outpaced what had begun as a boutique candidacy intended to call attention to climate change.
…
As his first act as president, Inslee declared a national climate emergency. As his second, he announced national carbon rationing. Until further notice, consumers were limited to one tank of gas per month. Based on time of year and regional climates, natural gas and heating oil deliveries to households were cut by as much as 60%. Utilities were directed to submit plans within the month to cut total electricity generation by 40% and to optimize their existing generation mix to use as little fossil generation as possible.

Inslee is a real politician BTW, and has often spoken about AGW in stark terms, so imagining his Presidential campaign is not so far off the mark.

To summarise:
– Nationalises the entire US electricity industry (the massive TVA and BPA are already public).
– Creates a National Renewable Energy Corporation to produce enough wind turbines and solar panels to produce 60% of the nation’s electric power by 2030.
– Creates the National Nuclear Energy Corporation, which takes over all private nuclear businesses build 200 single-design reactors in a decade to handle the other 40% of power needs.
– Nationalises the Big Three US automakers to retool all their factories in three years to make EV’s.

Of course the US Federal government basically did nationalise Government Motors in 2008/9, and they’re trying to fight their way into the EV space dominated by Tesla. However, the same realities face them that would face politicians all over the world on Climate Change:

As many environmentalists and even elected Democrats have come to believe that serious climate disruption is already upon us, it has become fashionable to call for a World War II-style mobilization to fight climate change. But virtually no one will actually call for any of the sorts of activities that the United States undertook during the war mobilization —rationing food and fuels, seizing property, nationalizing factories or industries, or suspending democratic liberties.

But who knows, in Luxon and Willis perhaps we have the True Believers that the Greens have so long been looking for and for which they have ladled so much abuse at Labour for lacking?
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February 24, 2023 10:37am
The Redbaiter

Mod- apologise for the double posting. Appreciate if you can make the second effort stand.

[Mod – not your fault, the site glitched]
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February 24, 2023 10:51am
Captain Mainwaring

Heard at a meeting at the European former owners of Bluebridge’s latest ferry:
“We’ve got a lemon here. Let’s find a mug as far away from here as possible.”
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February 24, 2023 10:56am
- fightingtemeraire
  
  It was owned by Stena, a good ferry company. However, this vessel has been bare boat chartered out to several operators in its life and it has been worked hard.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:54am
- fightingtemeraire
  
  She is a sister of Strait Feronia.
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:02pm
  - Taieri
    
    She is a sister of Strait Feronia.
    ————–
    
    Not quite.
    The sister ship to Strait Feronia is Pelagos, built as Lagan Viking for Norse Irish Ferries.
    Connemara, built for Stena, while looking similar, is a bit bigger at 27414GT than the former vessels (21856GT)
    
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    February 24, 2023 2:46pm
Ghost

But but but, this can’t be happening the gangs said they aren’t committing crime and Riffer claimed last night that there is no looting going on.

Thirteen people have been arrested – 7 in Hawke’s Bay and 6 in Tairawhiti for a range of offences including firearms charges, theft, domestic violence and intimidation.

Three of these are related to an incident in Bay View, Napier after 8pm last night where two people went to an address, one being a Mongrel Mob gang member, and attempted to smash their way through the property’s gates.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/up-to-200mm-of-rain-forecast-for-cyclone-battered-gisborne-hawkes-bay-civil-defence-warns-residents-to-prepare/IDU52D5BLNDP5GFBTUFHVMYRYQ/

Looting continues in Eastern District with 35 arrested

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/02/cyclone-gabrielle-looting-continues-in-eastern-district-with-35-arrested-number-of-unaccounted-for-people-down-to-152.html
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February 24, 2023 10:57am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Not possible
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:55pm
Ghost

Hmmm

Does R Kelly still believes he can fly, maybe a bit more jail house rock

R Kelly has been sentenced to 20 years in prison on child pornography and child enticement charges.

The disgraced singer was found guilty on three counts of producing child pornography and three of enticement of minors for sex in his hometown of Chicago in September 2022.

On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that the 56-year-old singer, real name Robert Sylvester Kelly, will serve the sentence at the same time as he completes a 30-year prison term in New York on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.

This brings Kelly’s total time behind bars to 31 years, meaning he will be eligible for release when he’s in his eighties.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2023/02/r-kelly-sentenced-to-20-years-in-prison-over-child-sexual-abuse-case.html
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February 24, 2023 11:05am
- Ghost
  
  Must be celebrity day
  
  Harvey Weinstein, the movie producer whose treatment of women propelled the #MeToo movement in 2017, was sentenced on Thursday to 16 years in prison for committing sex crimes in Los Angeles County.
  
  https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/23/us/harvey-weinstein-sentence-los-angeles.html
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:14am
- NothingLeft
  
  I believe I can die
  Throw a noose on the shower high
  I think about it every night and day
  Every felon in here has his way
  
  I believe I’m a whore
  Cock-trains runnin through my back doo-oor
  I believe I can die
  
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  February 24, 2023 7:42pm
Grunter

The climate change hypocrisy of all of our politicians (Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Brown….) is evident to all of us. They are all talking up ‘adaptation’ and moving away from rising sea levels. Or worse, insane mitigation rules that will never work.

Meanwhile, they are building a brand new $1.2 Billion (plus inflation…..) Dunedin Hospital on re-claimed land 500m from the Otago Harbour, and 1.8m above the existing sea level. On the same block we already have the Dunedin Central Fire Station and the Dunedin Central Police HQ.

We have a ‘Climate Emergency’ so let’s put all our emergency services at sea level……?

Me thinks someone’s telling porkies big time!
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February 24, 2023 11:10am
- ClanMcleod
  
  A number of “conspiracy theory” commentators predicted the pivot from “covid pandemic” to “climate change”. They were 100% correct.
  
  As was said during that period, the difference between a “conspiracy theory” and the truth is around 6 months.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:25am
- Blog-aholic
  
  Interestingly all the rich doom and gloom merchants all seem to have beach front holiday homes or in fact actual homes. Those naughty deniers are the problem of course.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:26am
  - ClanMcleod
    
    Like Obama with his beachfront Martha’s Vineyard estate.
    
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenhowley/2019/09/01/obamas-buying-marthas-vineyard-estate-from-boston-celtics-owner/?sh=106ed4ea5300
    
    Obviously he’s very concerned about rising oceans and global warming…..
    
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    February 24, 2023 11:58am
Ghost

This sounds fun, as long as you don’t drift into USA airspace…….

A Japanese startup announced plans Tuesday to launch commercial space viewing balloon flights that it hopes will bring an otherwise astronomically expensive experience down to Earth.

Company CEO Keisuke Iwaya said passengers do not need to be billionaires, go through intense training or have the language skills needed to fly in a rocket.

https://apnews.com/article/spacex-technology-science-japan-business-ef389bc97ef0021f9631362740d30e66
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February 24, 2023 11:22am
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Desperate Democrats will try anything. Ohio train derailment, toxic chemicals on fire?
So Joe was in Ukraine and Dr Jill was in Africa. So Trump flew on his own plane to visit. He shouted McDonalds to local firefighters. Cleaned Maccas out.
He also had thousands of bottles of water trucked there. Branded Trump water. Here comes the desperate bit. Someone unknown spread the nonsense that the water was 13 years old! Since proven false. Trump did this for exposure and votes of course.
The ruling:
https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-donald-trump-bottled-water-east-palestine-1783322
Not drinking water anymore. In my opinion all water is old.
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February 24, 2023 11:24am
- mawm
  
  Like pink Himalayan salt. It comes from layers of a geological formation that is somewhere between 540 and 600 million years old – and comes with an expired date on the bottle!!!
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:21pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Exactly!
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:41pm
Maggie Pie

Meanwhile in Napier…..

‘A mongrel-mob member and three other people were arrested last night after they attempted to smash their way through a Napier property’s gates.
Police seized illegal firearms, cannabis and $17,000 in cash.’

– NZH

Nashie to HDPA…..”Heather, why are you so fixated on this?”
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February 24, 2023 11:33am
- Ghost
  
  But Kiri told them to cut it out. Sigh, why are the gangs not listening to their financiers.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:36am
  - mandk
    
    And Minister Woods told the gangs: “This is not the time for that sort of thing”.
    
    She needed to be clearer and let them know when it would be the time to resume their normal community activity.
    
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    February 24, 2023 11:50am
    - Nickc2
      
      I think you will find it was Stuart Nash who told the gangs: “This is not the time for that sort of thing”.
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/cyclone-gabrielle-pm-chis-hipkins-warns-of-big-price-tag-for-recovery-and-big-budget-calls/TBGKYTM22ZBNXLMQTBGZPMSI4A/
      
      11 1
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      February 24, 2023 12:12pm
      - mandk
        
        Same difference.
        
        They all know where their support comes from.
        
        5 2
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        February 24, 2023 12:57pm
      - rouppe
        
        Is there any time for that sort of thing?
        
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        February 24, 2023 1:21pm
- plc
  
  Did the media list their iwi affiliations……as is de rigueur these days?
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:53pm
  - Paulus
    
    Talking of Iwi – have you seen the huge list of Iwi accompanying the Census Forms – there are so many I do not known which ones to tick!
    
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    February 24, 2023 1:41pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      So you are mixed mongrel, just as I am mixed mongrel European.
      I have lots of those northern hemisphere but I choose New Zealand European.
      Maybe ‘other’ and give the pedigree?
      
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      February 24, 2023 5:50pm
ClanMcleod

Is this a joke?

Health Minister Ayesha Verrall announces new Covid-19 vaccine as booster for everyone over 30

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/health-minister-ayesha-verrall-announcement-on-new-covid-19-vaccine/XCKJ6N6KTJAQ3A3TECGCOWYR5I/

In a Burst of Psychopathic Schizophrenia – Everyone Over the Age of 30 to Receive New Boosters

It is increasingly hard to make any sense of the New Zealand government’s Covid policy. A paper completed by our Ministry of Health and published in the Lancet found high rates of Myocarditis and Acute Kidney Injury associated with Pfizer mRNA Covid vaccination. Data released two days ago under an OIA (freedom of information) request shows that boosted individuals in NZ disproportionately contribute to record levels of all cause mortality (described by overseas commentators as devastating).

Yet today Health Minister Ayesha Verrall announced a new Covid-19 vaccine as a booster for everyone over 30. It appears that die hard vaccine fanatics have gained the upper hand in the circular Beehive corridors of power under new PM Chris Hipkins.

In summary, I am stunned at the lack of substance, caution, and humanity in the thinking of our government. Having embarked on a policy of universal Covid vaccination, they appear to be incapable of rationally assessing the impact of their policy and adjusting accordingly. This pushes against all accepted scientific standards and it leaves the public suffering in the dark.

Since an opportunity to publicly air concerns has been denied to those asking questions. Since the media is apparently paid to support the government. Since those who have publicly admitted to remaining unvaccinated are subject to repeated ad hominem attacks. Since government ministers and scientists are not prepared to debate the issues publicly. There is very little that can be said, except to announce an era of unreality.

https://hatchardreport.com/everyone-over-the-age-of-30-to-receive-new-boosters/

The lunatics are still in charge of the asylum apparently.
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February 24, 2023 11:34am
- Widogast Corwin
  
  I would be surprised if take up is more than 10percent of the eligible population, certainly for those younger than 65. In the 50 – 64 group 30 percent have now had four shots. Maybe 1 in 5 of those people will get a 5th shot. 70 percent of those in the 50 – 64 group did not get a 4th shot when it was offered, so they are not going to take up the offer of this new shot.
  
  I can’t find data on the 30 – 50 take up of boosters. This detailed data used to be published daily. Now we only get a summary.
  
  https://www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-vaccine-data
  
  Meanwhile more than half of Maori kids have not had their routine childhood vaccinations (the ones that DO work and which are safe). Only a matter of time before we get a major measles outbreak.
  
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  February 24, 2023 11:58am
  - ClanMcleod
    
    The (predictable) law of unintended consequences.
    
    I have no doubt that take up will be low, the fact they are even attempting it smacks of desperation. They are not ready to admit they got it wrong so they are carrying on with the faux narrative. Tragic.
    The longer it takes to have the conversation the more difficult it will be to “move on”. Pretending it didn’t happen is kindergarten stuff.
    
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    February 24, 2023 12:07pm
    - Widogast Corwin
      
      Had to laugh at this…
      
      “Dr. Ian Town, Chief Science Advisor to the Ministry of Health said he “did not know exactly how long the new vaccine would protect people for…”
      
      Too right.
      
      Compare that to (say) the hepatitis A vaccine. It is 99 percent effective and typically protects for at least 20 years. Plus it has decades of safety data.
      
      16 3
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      February 24, 2023 12:14pm
      - ClanMcleod
        
        Widogast – it certainly shows the claims at the outset of this event were at best, completely inaccurate, at worst, deliberate lies to maintain a narrative.
        
        It is clear to everyone now, this was always an experiment. At no point was it “tested, safe and effective”. Yet that was the message pumped out of every bought and paid for media outlet in NZ. Where are they now?
        
        I truly despise the mainstream media in this country for their abject cowardice and the ease with which they sold their collective souls. Every last one of them.
        
        12 3
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        February 24, 2023 12:19pm
      - Tom Hunter
        
        I realise he’s a pig ignorant Marxist blowhard who specialises in media because that’s perfect for blowhards, but I wonder where “Bomber” Bradbury got the chart from that claims that the British “Age Standardised Mortality Rate” is greate for unvaccinated than vaccinated people from April-Dec 2021.
        
        I suspect the usual cherry-picking around time periods, vaccination definitions and so forth and I could look into it but I figured you might have a quicker handle on it?
        
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        February 24, 2023 12:29pm
      - NothingLeft
        
        Saw a graph the other day that had vaccine protection against reinfection dropping to about 40% after 10 weeks, vs natural immunity about 60 weeks.
        
        The vaccines are a waste of time, with known but as yet poorly quantified risks
        
        3 1
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        February 24, 2023 2:23pm
      - Lucia Maria
        
        Tom,
        
        Don’t know where Bomber got his chart from either (and he doesn’t give a source), but here is a criticism of the released data:
        
        England’s All-Cause Mortality Data by Vaccination Status
        
        Summary
        
        * There are significant changes from the last dataset, made by ONS, which raise questions to the reliability of the used methods (denominator), as described by Fenton et al.
        
        * Severe confounding is likely still present in the data, as shown by the significantly higher non-Covid19 mortality (‘healthy user bias’ of the vaccinated).
        
        * In absolute terms, vaccinated deaths are the majority.
        
        * No clear vaccination effect can be concluded, due to confounding and problems with the denominator.
        
        * Non COVID-19 excess mortality appears to be on the rise, if this is due to (intentional or unintentional) underreporting of vaccinated COVID-19 deaths, or due to side effect of the vaccines, or other reasons remains to be studied.
        
        * There’s still missing and/or hidden data.
        
        Sources & Calculations
        
        All calculations are done in the R language and are available open source…
        
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        February 24, 2023 10:14pm
    - artemisia
      
      Dolly did it.
      
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      February 24, 2023 12:47pm
      - Maggie Pie
        
        😀 😀 😀
        
        2 0
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        February 24, 2023 1:27pm
    - kevn
      
      @Clan…. I wonder how many of the Pfizzer jabs have become outdated and dumped?
      Millions of dollars worth for sure.
      This new stuff will be the same. Maybe MOH contracted NZ to buy an (unknown) large quantity?
      
      6 1
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      February 24, 2023 1:03pm
      - Widogast Corwin
        
        In 2022 they paid $36.50 per dose.
        
        It would be interesting to find out how many of these new vaccines they have purchased. If total uptake is 10 percent of the under 65 population and (say) 20 percent in the 65+ population, there could be hundreds of thousands of doses to be thrown away.
        
        Of course the smart thing to do would be to buy only enough for (say) 20 percent of those eligible and go back to Pfizer if more folk want the vaccine. I bet they did not do that.
        
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        February 24, 2023 1:40pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Or Polio. Measles ain’t fun, but you recover. Polio stuffs your life.
    High School Teacher had it. Quite disturbing when he clicked both metal legs to sit down.
    
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    February 24, 2023 5:54pm
- mawm
  
  Clan – this is an interesting interview of Ed Dowd, author of “Cause Unknown”, by Tucker Carlson.
  
  https://rumble.com/v2ailv0-tucker-carlson-interview-ed-dowd.html
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:27pm
Ghost

Some good news

The number of uncontactable people following Cyclone Gabrielle is now at 23, police say

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/weather-news/300813856/cyclone-gabrielle-live-updates-cyclonehit-regions-brace-for-more-heavy-rain
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February 24, 2023 11:39am
Ghost

Dear labour,

We are having to borrow substantial money to get this country through each day. Please stop giving away what we cannot afford.

Stuff understands New Zealand is set to pledge funding to the Pacific for climate change science to help with the hard-hit and hugely depended-on fishing industry.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/131321673/new-zealand-to-make-climate-change-pledge-as-pacific-leaders-meet-amid-regional-tension
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February 24, 2023 12:19pm
- Ignoranus
  
  Don’t worry about sending the money over there, they’ll use ‘climate change’ to come here.
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:42pm
- Widogast Corwin
  
  Just amazing 🙁
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:43pm
- Swifty
  
  According to Labour’s and the Green’s logic we should cease all overseas aid immediately.
  
  They are the political geniuses who maintain that endlessly raising the minimum wage to levels among the highest in the world has no negative effects, least of all in employment levels. They have said this over and over and over in the NZ context.
  
  Why then do we give aid to other countries? We should just tell them to raise their minimum wage levels to among the highest on the world and they’d all be rich just like us!
  
  Easy, peasy!
  
  (That’s unless Labour and the Greens have been telling us porkies.)
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:05pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  How long before NZ is totally broke, and needs overseas aid?
  Good question to ask the Labour Experts.
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:49pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    On the same trajectory it’s on now? I’d put my money on within 5 years.
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:47pm
    - NZer In Exile
      
      And guess who will be schmoozing NZ officials to offer “aid”?
      
      1 1
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      February 24, 2023 8:48pm
- Ghost
  
  $25 million we have pledged
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/131324104/govt-pledges-25m-for-climate-science-to-save-pacific-tuna-fishing
  
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  February 24, 2023 6:55pm
bjools

Impertinent question:
Why was our military not put on standby, BEFORE Gabriel struck?
We had notice
It has been largely left to civilian volunteers to
rescue
recover
relocate
9000 full time military personnel available
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=nz+military%2C+breakdown
Our Royal New Zealand Air Force has eight NH90 helicopters in its fleet.
How come I only saw the same footage, over and over of JUST ONE.
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/our-equipment/ships-and-watercraft/
Where were these?
https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/our-equipment/military-vehicles/man-truck-and-rapidly-emplaced-bridging-system-rebs/
Where are these?
Other military equipment for clearing roads etc
Surely this is the ACTION we should expect, under a NATIONAL state of emergency?
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February 24, 2023 12:44pm
- Ghost
  
  The military were delivering supplies before it hit. You can read all they have been doing since the Auckland flooding
  
  https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/significant-projects-and-issues/cyclone-gabrielle/
  
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  February 24, 2023 12:49pm
  - bjools
    
    Limp response….AFTER the fact.
    The volunteers did more.
    
    3 4
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    February 24, 2023 1:04pm
    - Ghost
      
      They were there helping before it hit, after it hit. You could always go and help instead of whinging from your safe little home
      
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      February 24, 2023 1:33pm
- kevn
  
  @bj… After ‘working’ at MIQ accomodation for years and getting heartily sick of it, I’ll bet there is a line-up of personnel ready and willing to help… when asked/directed.
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:08pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Did you know you can distinguish an alligator from a crocodile, by paying attention to whether the animal sees you later, or in a while?
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February 24, 2023 12:49pm
- Maggie Pie
  
  faaaarrrk……
  
  https://mol.im/a/11786475
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:25pm
  - Inandout
    
    Maggie, that is sad.
    
    3 0
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    February 24, 2023 1:32pm
    - Maggie Pie
      
      Yes. Its it’s SteveO who finds it funny.
      
      3 0
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      February 24, 2023 2:03pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        That’s brutal and tragic. I notice the clickbait rag offers the “full video”. We live in a sick world.
        
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        February 24, 2023 8:53pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Nope, not funny. The Woman died.
        My dry joke had nothing to do with your post, it was my 12.49 comment that started it.
        
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        February 25, 2023 11:04am
  - Ghost
    
    From Aussie
    
    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2023/02/video-australian-tourist-lucky-to-be-alive-after-being-brutally-attacked-by-crocodile.html
    
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    February 24, 2023 2:10pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Some alligators can grow up to 15 feet, but most have 4.
  
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  February 24, 2023 1:55pm
Stu2

Moving Ports of Auckland to Northland would not have been a wild success over the past couple of weeks
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February 24, 2023 1:00pm
- Matt Long
  
  First build the road and rail links, then think about offloading volume to Northport
  
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  February 24, 2023 2:39pm
Tom Hunter

The all important soft centre left vote could be scared off voting National if they think hard right ACT policies would dominate.

A quote from long-time National supporter, Peterwn on the Feb 23rd GD thread.

Which begs the question of why such a National supporter is not worried about the all important soft centre left vote being scared off voting Labour if they think hard left Green policies would dominate.?

See also The Precious Midpoint (June 2021)

Instead of aping the strategic goals of Labour and sneering at their own voters, what National should be thinking about is what the votes for Brexit and Trump in 2016 and for the British Conservatives in 2020 meant, and what the changing politics of things like the recent Hartlepool election meant – rather than imagining that the forces driving them can be wiped away by defeating Trump-like politicians.

National is not going to be rewarded by simply saying that it will do the same as Labour but with better management. In the face of failing public systems, especially education, that’s no longer good enough. The 2020 election told National that when voters are presented with such a choice they’ll just vote Labour.

And the lesson is not to be like the New Zealand equivalent of Mitt Romney, Theresa May or David Cameron – all squishes who either failed to get elected or if they were, failed to grasp the actual electoral environment they claimed their “moderate” noses could sniff out.

That approach just won’t cut it anymore with Centre-Right parties. Real, practical solutions based around giving incentives to individuals – in education, healthcare and other areas – are what is required. Certainly not something that “‘we’, the clever ones, are going to impose upon ‘them’, the Lower Orders“, from the hearts of wealthy suburbs sporting myriad electric cars.
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February 24, 2023 1:13pm
CAKE FACE1

Okay, I have a new film idea, called the Wizard of NZ. It like the Wizard of Oz, only better.

A rag tag of New Zealand’s finest socialists is staggering down the yellow brick road, hoping that the Wizard of NZ, located in the Wellington Emerald City, can save them.

The cowardly lion is obviously Kommissar Hipkins. The scarecrow who wishes he had a brain can be none other than Kommissar Wood. The tinman, who longs for a heart, is presumably based on the heartless Andrew Little. Carmel Sepuloni must be Dorothy, who just wants to go home. Megan Woods probably represents Toto the dog.

Cindy is the wicked witch of the West. She gets vanquished after flood waters are thrown into her face.

They arrive in Emerald City. Toto (Megan Wood) clumsily knocks over a screen, revealing that Wizard of NZ, Kommissar Robbo, is only a useless phoney.

The Wizard of NZ, Kommissar Robbo, gives the cowardly lion Hipkins a load of loot to spend. He hopes will solve the lion’s cowardice. Kommissar Hipkins spends it all in no time, but it doesn’t make him any braver.

The Wizard of NZ, next gives the stupid scarecrow Kommissar Wood, a huge pile of coin, to help cure his idiocy. Kommissar Wood spends it all in no time at all, but all the money in the world can’t make him any smarter.

For the tin man angry Kommissar Andy Little, the Wizard of NZ gives him a pot of gold, hoping to cure his anger. Kommissar Little spends it all in no time at all, but alas he remains as angry as ever.

Carmel Sepuloni taps her heels three times and repeats the words, ‘There’s no place like home,’, and then promptly disappears. No one knows where she goes…

Toto (Megan Wood) is given a pie for her troubles. Then another one. And another. She is happy, until the pies eventually run out…

Kommissar Robbo gorges on food, until he pops like a balloon.

The Emerald City elects a communist to run it. Bankruptcy ensues.

Everyone lives unhappily ever after, destitute and starving.

The end.
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February 24, 2023 1:31pm
- nathie
  
  “No one knows where she goes… “.
  
  That’s cos she disappeared into the Labour Witless protection system!
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:24pm
Maggie Pie

On the wall in my partner’s den…..

“If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep,
you will work until you die.”

– Warren Buffet
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February 24, 2023 1:44pm
- mandk
  
  That’s funny, coming from someone who is still working at age 93.
  
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  February 24, 2023 3:03pm
Bridgenag

One of the blokes at bowls said he went to Auckland to change a battery on his watch today with his local jeweller. The guys was accosted and robbed by a father and son who put a pistol at his head and took everything of any value. Nothing from the police and nothing from the insurance company in seven weeks. he has been having therapy as he still has nightmares…. Come on sheeples…..help these people [ Fijian Indian]
8 2
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February 24, 2023 1:47pm
- Maggie Pie
  
  I got robbed once for a fake diamond Tennis Bracelet by a Fijian Indian in Nadi. He didn’t need a gun, he owned the shop 🙁
  
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  February 24, 2023 2:10pm
rouppe

Since we’re talking about slash and what to do with it, I nearly spilled my coffee when I read that Huntly will be switching its coal burners to wood pellets – imported from Canada

I mean, what are the leaders in this country thinking…? Can they not even have a conversation with forestry interests here?
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February 24, 2023 2:10pm
- Inandout
  
  rouppe, what on earth happened to slash and burn for those furnaces?
  
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  February 24, 2023 2:51pm
Ghost

This woman comes off as a nut job

‘Lunatic’ Forewoman In Trump-Georgia Case Shocks Media With Overt Bias, Trump Lawyers Pounce

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/lunatic-forewoman-trump-georgia-case-shocks-media-overt-bias-trump-lawyers-pounce
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February 24, 2023 2:31pm
- virtualmark
  
  To NZ eyes it seems quite crazy to have a jury forewoman talking to the media.
  
  But in the US it’s not unusual. Apparently the Georgia grand jury were instructed by the judge, when they were being dismissed, that they could not talk about the jury deliberations, but could talk about what they’d heard in the courtroom.
  
  Different world over there.
  
  Personally I think she should STFU.
  
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  February 24, 2023 3:29pm
  - trout
    
    ‘To guarantee the secrecy of grand jury hearings, Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e) prohibits most persons present during the proceedings from disclosing what transpired inside the grand jury room; however, the proscription does not apply to witnesses’ (in respect of their own submission).
    
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    February 24, 2023 6:26pm
- Inandout
  
  Ghost, in all honesty that woman is not the full quid.
  
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  February 24, 2023 5:28pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  I just can’t understand her answers! The World is full of fuckwits just like this.
  But, beware, who are paying them just to live?
  That silly bitch is off the planet!
  
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  February 24, 2023 6:07pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Jesus! Put the cuckoo back in the clock!
  
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  February 25, 2023 11:14am
NZer In Exile

Can New Zealand actually have free and fair elections when the incumbent party has clearly stitched up the vast majority of the NZ media?

If another country did that would they not generally be deemed a corrupt joke of a country?
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February 24, 2023 2:36pm
- Inandout
  
  NZ, the US MSM are not blatantly funded by the government as in NZ but their media is strongly aligned to the Dem machine.
  
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  February 24, 2023 2:53pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    Inandout they do have Fox News which is generally anti far left.
    
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    February 24, 2023 8:55pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/131323812/staff-member-breaks-wrist-in-truck-incident-on-bluebridge-ferry
A person has an accident and his wrist is broken, so the ferry and hundreds of passengers and vehicles and tons of freight are delayed for half a day ?
What the hell !
Is this the dreaded “Worksafe” at play again ?
What ever happened to common sense in NZ ?
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February 24, 2023 4:43pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Major accident was the first News. Ferrys, Truck, the mind gets set for the worst news – is he still alive?.
  Anything the fucked up media says can be taken with a 40 foot container of salt.
  
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  February 24, 2023 6:14pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Who knew the ferries were even running?
  
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  February 24, 2023 9:35pm
Maggie Pie

The Wild Wild West

My partner was saying someones on their way to Boot Hill tonite. Ate his own bullet by the sound of things.
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February 24, 2023 5:25pm
- Vory v zakone
  
  Sure it’s not this guy?
  #ClintonBodyCount
  
  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11787061/NYC-billionaire-financier-Thomas-H-Lee-78-dead-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound.html
  
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  February 25, 2023 4:26am

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